50 Carrefour stores targeted as French business leaders call for order after riots, looting: republic must protect shopkeepers
Business leaders condemn unrest
After cost-of-living protests escalated into rioting and looting across France, business owners spoke out. Carrefour CEO Bompard and other corporate leaders condemned the violence and called on authorities to restore order.
Retail stores face damage
Bompard said rioters targeted 50 Carrefour stores on Saturday. The report does not specify how many were damaged or looted. Thierry Cotillard, chairman of French retail group Les Mousquetaires, said at least two of its franchises in Paris and Rennes were ransacked during Saturday’s unrest. He called the looting “unacceptable” in a LinkedIn post and said his thoughts were with shopkeepers bearing the cost.
Vitality club also looted
The unrest also affected a business operated by Vitality, one of France’s largest professional esports organizations. Its central Paris site includes a 4,300-square-foot gaming center, merchandise store and café.
Vitality’s X account said the club’s premises were looted on Saturday. The organization’s head said part of him “went up in smoke” after the gaming café and club was hit.
Key points
- Bompard said 50 Carrefour stores were targeted by rioters on Saturday.
- Les Mousquetaires reported at least two franchises ransacked in Paris and Rennes.
- Vitality said its central Paris club premises were looted.
- Guibert said looting undermined the entrepreneurial spirit and French industry.