The CEO of Carrefour, one of France’s largest supermarket chains and among the world’s biggest retailers, has said that 50 of its stores were targeted during riots that swept across France on Saturday.
Bompard said that around 1,500 other shops were also damaged during the unrest, which saw protesters target businesses, public buildings and storefronts.
He described the violence as “unacceptable” and called for faster compensation procedures for affected shopkeepers. “The cost of the repairs will amount to more than 10 million euros, and our shopkeepers need an acceleration of compensation procedures, as in the case of natural disasters,” he said.
Police subsequently patrolled affected areas as authorities assessed the damage and clean-up operations began in cities hit by vandalism and looting. President Emmanuel Macron appealed for calm following the violence, distinguishing between peaceful demonstrators and those responsible for destruction. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said on X that 600 police officers were injured during the unrest and that more than 2,000 people were arrested.
He said that the government would take action to protect public buildings and local businesses.
