The CEO of one of France’s largest supermarket chains, and one of the world’s largest retailers, said that 50 of its stores were targeted by rioters on Saturday.
Alexandre Bompard, who leads Carrefour, France’s version of Walmart, took to X on Sunday to condemn the riots and commend his employees as France reels from widespread civil unrest and looting.
“Nothing can justify such violence,” Bompard said on X in French. “Those who attack the work tools of courageous entrepreneurs and their teams in this way must face an uncompromising response.”
“The Republic must protect its shopkeepers!” he added.
Riots swept across France on Saturday after initially peaceful demonstrations against the high cost of living and deteriorating school conditions turned violent. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said on X that 600 police officers were injured in the fracas and more than 2,000 people were arrested.
Photos and videos from Paris and other French cities show massive demonstrations, burning cars, and wrecked storefronts.
In his X post, Bompard called the violence “unacceptable.” He said that, in addition to Carrefour’s stores, about 1,500 other shops were damaged in the riots.
“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.
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