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The repercussions of the protests in France were not limited to confrontations in the streets, but rather extended to the theft of luxury stores and international brands, from Louis Vuitton and Hermes to Rolex and Sephora, in scenes that highlight the cost of the unrest on the French trade sector.

Between stores that were looted and others that sustained material damage, signs of widespread losses began to emerge, with preliminary estimates indicating that more than 3,000 stores were damaged, and losses that could reach hundreds of millions of euros.

The protests began in France in mid-September, with student movements protesting the shortage of teachers, overcrowded classrooms, and poor school equipment, before expanding with escalating anger over the rising costs of living, fuel prices, and plans to reduce public spending.

According to the Associated Press, trade unions and groups from the “yellow vest” movement joined the movements, which reached their peak on October 17, when hundreds of thousands took to the streets in several cities.

Although most of the marches began peacefully, confrontations broke out with the police in Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Bordeaux, and other cities, and included fires, acts of vandalism, and the looting of stores and public buildings. The authorities accused extremist groups and participants in riots of exploiting the protests to carry out attacks, while the movements reflected broader dissatisfaction with economic conditions and the decline in public services.

Louis Vuitton, Celine, and Dior are among the targeted luxury stores

The French newspaper Le Monde reported that luxury stores on Avenue Montaigne in Paris, one of the most prominent upscale shopping streets, were targeted during the violence. She explained that the storefronts of Louis Vuitton and Jil Sander were damaged as a result of projectiles, while the Celine store was completely looted on October 17.

The newspaper added that the looting included The Kooples, Hugo Boss, Jott, and Lancel stores in Lyon.

In a report by Reuters, the names of Louis Vuitton, Dior, and Celine were mentioned among the brands that were targeted during the unrest.

The Financial Times also reported that Hermès and Burberry stores were among the luxury brands that were subject to looting or vandalism, noting attempts to break into the Louis Vuitton store in Place Vendôme in Paris, and targeting other stores in Marseille.

“Rolex” in Marseille and “Sephora” in several cities

The attacks also included well-known watch and cosmetics stores. Reuters mentioned, in a report on the effects of the unrest in Marseille, the Rolex store, which appeared surrounded by security barriers the day after the clashes.

Regarding cosmetics stores, a report by Agence France-Presse stated that Sephora branches in Lille, Lyon and Perpignan were looted or vandalized.

The report indicated that the looting also affected Apple, Carrefour City, Etam, and Yves Rocher stores, in addition to other stores.

As a result, Sephora closed its network of stores in France as of five o’clock on Saturday evening, and kept the branches closed on Sunday, after a number of stores were looted and employees faced acts of violence.

Advertisements for goods suspected of being stolen appear on sales platforms?

The repercussions of the looting that France witnessed did not stop at the affected stores, as it extended to platforms selling used goods, where advertisements appeared displaying products suspected of being stolen during the unrest, according to press reports.

Reuters reported that the “Vinted” platform, a European electronic platform for buying and selling used goods between individuals, intensified monitoring procedures and deleted suspicious ads, after the French authorities called on the selling platforms to take action to prevent the trading of looted goods over the Internet.

Reports monitored an advertisement for beauty products from Sephora and perfumes from Dior, in addition to bags and other products offered at low prices.

In a related context, the media covered clips published on social media platforms, in which people appeared showing off goods they said they had seized during the looting.

More than 3,000 stores were damaged, with losses amounting to hundreds of millions of euros

In terms of financial losses, Le Monde quoted Alexandre Bombard, President of the French Federation for Trade and Distribution and CEO of the Carrefour Group, as estimating that the damage to companies affiliated with the federation may reach hundreds of millions of euros. He explained that the estimate is preliminary, and that more than 1,500 stores across France were damaged by acts of looting and vandalism.

Later, Euronews reported that the government toll had risen to at least 3,000 damaged stores, after initial estimates indicated about 1,500 stores. Insurance companies have not yet determined the total value of the damages, which means that the final financial outcome is still undecided.

As for “Carrefour” alone, Bombard estimated the cost of repairs at more than 10 million euros, noting that 50 stores belonging to the group were subjected to attacks, including 19 food and small stores that were looted, according to what was reported by “Le Monde.”

The newspaper added that the “Intermarche” group detected damage in about ten stores, about two-thirds of which suffered internal damage, while the “Galeries Lafayette” group spoke of major repercussions affecting a large part of its network, especially the major stores in Bordeaux, Nantes, Rennes, Perpignan, Tours and Chambery.

In Bordeaux, the newspaper quoted Mayor Thomas Cazenave as saying that between 50 and 100 stores of various types were vandalized.

As for Reuters, it indicated that the damage to the stores raised additional economic concerns, at a time when France is facing financial and political pressures. There has not yet been a final comprehensive figure for the losses, as the estimates were still preliminary, and the concerned authorities are working to estimate the damages and determine compensation.

Compensation is expected amid fears for small shop owners

Le Monde indicated that shop owners and professional associations called for accelerating procedures for compensation for damages, at a time when French President Emmanuel Macron pledged to provide government support to those affected.

The government had announced holding meetings with representatives of the trade, crafts, restaurants, and insurance sectors, to assess the material damage and economic repercussions, and to determine the necessary measures to help companies resume their activity.

The authorities representing the sector warned that the damage is not limited to stolen goods or repair of facades, but also includes the possibility of closing some stores for long periods, and affecting their workers.

While the authorities continue to assess the damage, estimates of total losses remain provisional, and there is not yet a final tally available that separates the value of stolen goods from the cost of vandalism, repair, and the cessation of commercial activity.