Over 1,500 shops damaged in France riots: Carrefour CEO Alexandre Bompard says repair bill could cross ₹107 crore

The damage left behind by the recent riots in France has hit local businesses hard. Among those affected is Carrefour, one of the country’s biggest supermarket chains, whose CEO says 50 of its stores were targeted during Saturday’s unrest.Alexandre Bompard spoke out against the violence on X, calling for better protection for shopkeepers and businesses caught up in the clashes. He also said around 1,500 other shops had been damaged as protests over the cost of living and declining public services turned violent in several French cities.“Nothing can justify such violence,” Bompard wrote. He added that those who attack businesses and the people who work in them should face a firm response.“The Republic must protect its shopkeepers!” he said.For retailers already dealing with rising costs and other pressures, the damage adds another problem. Bompard said the cost of repairs to affected Carrefour stores alone would exceed €10 million, or roughly ₹100 crore, depending on the exchange rate.He also called for compensation to reach affected shopkeepers more quickly, suggesting that the process should work in a similar way to claims made after natural disasters.

What happened during the protests in France?

The demonstrations began amid growing frustration over the cost of living and the state of public services. But in several cities, the situation escalated, with groups of protesters clashing with police, damaging buildings and looting shops.More than half a million people reportedly took part in marches on Saturday. While many joined the demonstrations peacefully, the unrest left a trail of damaged storefronts, burned vehicles and vandalised public property.Businesses across several sectors were affected, including supermarkets, pharmacies, clothing stores and luxury boutiques. For shop owners, the immediate concern was not just the cost of repairs but also how soon they could reopen and resume business.Images from Paris and other cities showed the scale of the destruction. In some areas, police used tear gas as confrontations with protesters intensified.

Historic building in Limoges also damaged

The violence also damaged public buildings. In the historic town of Limoges, a fire broke out at the 19th-century town hall during Saturday’s unrest.The building suffered extensive damage, with its roof collapsing onto the floors below and its clock tower falling in the blaze.The incident added to concerns about the damage to public spaces and local landmarks, alongside the losses suffered by businesses.

Macron calls for calm as police respond

French President Emmanuel Macron appealed for calm after the unrest, drawing a distinction between people exercising their right to protest and those involved in violence and destruction.He said the government would take steps to protect public buildings and local businesses as authorities dealt with the aftermath.Interior Minister Laurent Nunez also addressed the situation on X. According to the figures cited in reports, more than 2,000 people were arrested during the unrest, while hundreds of police officers were injured.Police continued patrolling affected areas as officials assessed the damage and clean-up work began.For Carrefour and the many smaller businesses caught up in the violence, the next challenge will be getting damaged premises back in working order and recovering the money lost. Bompard’s message was clear: people running shops and employing local workers should not have to bear the cost of such destruction without adequate protection and timely compensation.