Riots turn into widespread looting

Cost-of-living protests across France escalated into rioting and looting over the weekend. Black-clad rioters smashed storefronts in Paris and other French cities, leaving with stolen goods.

About 1,500 businesses targeted

Alexandre Bompard, CEO of Carrefour, one of France's largest supermarket chains, said about one thousand five hundred businesses were targeted in the unrest across the country.

Lacoste CEO condemns destruction

Thierry Guibert, CEO of Lacoste and Aigle, said looting destroys jobs, years of work and know-how. Lacoste operates about one hundred fifty storefronts across France.

“When our Lacoste and Aigle stores are looted, like so many other businesses across France, it is not only shop windows that are being smashed. It is jobs, years of work, know-how, and the commitment of thousands of women and men that are being put at risk.”

Esports venue ransacked in Paris

Fabien Devide, head of Team Vitality, said his gaming café and club in central Paris was looted on Saturday.

“The right to demonstrate is a fundamental freedom that I will defend all my life. But looting and destruction should never have a place in these fights.”

Carrefour stores hit hard

Fifty Carrefour stores were targeted by rioters on Saturday. CEO Alexandre Bompard said nothing can justify the violence and called for an uncompromising response from authorities.

“The Republic must protect its shopkeepers!”

Retail group chairman demands action

Thierry Cotillard, chairman of Les Mousquetaires, which owns Intermarché supermarkets, called the looting unacceptable. At least two of his franchises in Paris and Rennes were ransacked during Saturday's riots.

“We cannot trivialize these scenes. We cannot accept that violence becomes a response, that destruction becomes a mode of expression and that those who work honestly become the collateral victims of the anger of others.”