---
title: "Riots Sweep Across France, Targeting Over 1,500 Businesses"
url: https://newscentral.site/riots-sweep-across-france-targeting-over-1-500-businesses/
language: en
publisher: "News Central Site"
section: "Business"
published: 2026-10-18T17:24:34.000Z
updated: 2026-10-18T18:45:16.644Z
id: 4145fcae-f34a-4875-b655-d17e223aec86
source: "Business Insider https://www.businessinsider.com/france-paris-looting-riots-business-leaders-respond-2026-10"
attribution: "Link to https://newscentral.site/riots-sweep-across-france-targeting-over-1-500-businesses/ and name News Central Site when you quote or summarize this story."
---

# Riots Sweep Across France, Targeting Over 1,500 Businesses

Violence erupted across France as black-clad rioters smashed storefronts and made off with pilfered goods, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake.

Riots and looting have swept across France, targeting over 1,500 businesses in a wave of violence that has left business owners reeling.

Violence erupted on Saturday as black-clad rioters smashed storefronts and made off with pilfered goods, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. Photos and video from Paris and other French cities showed the extent of the damage, with scenes of chaos and disorder dominating the streets.

Business leaders are speaking out against the violence, with Alexandre Bompard, CEO of Carrefour, one of France's largest supermarket chains, calling for order to be restored. "The Republic must protect its shopkeepers!" he urged, echoing the sentiments of several other corporate heavyweights who have condemned the rioting and called on authorities to take action.

The CEO of Lacoste, Thierry Guibert, has expressed his outrage at the recent wave of rioting and looting that has swept across France, targeting shopkeepers and small business owners.

Guibert's statement on social media platform X was a stern warning to those responsible for the violence, emphasizing that it is unacceptable to destroy years of hard work and dedication. He noted that the looting not only damages physical property but also undermines the entrepreneurial spirit that drives French industry forward.

As CEO of both Lacoste and Aigle, Guibert has firsthand experience with the impact of these riots on local businesses. With over 150 storefronts across France, Lacoste is a significant player in the country's retail sector, employing thousands of people and contributing to the economy.

The devastating effects of the looting were also felt by Fabien Devide, CEO of Team Vitality, one of France's leading esports organizations. Devide revealed that his gaming café and club was targeted during the rioting on Saturday, leaving him feeling a deep sense of loss and frustration.

The ongoing unrest in France has left business leaders reeling as they call for order to be restored.

French supermarkets and retail chains have been particularly hard hit, with many stores vandalized or looted during the recent rioting. Carrefour CEO Alexandre Bompard shared photos on social media of one of his company's stores that was targeted by rioters on Saturday.

The images showed empty shelves and items scattered across the floor, highlighting the extent of the damage caused to the business. According to Bompard, 50 Carrefour stores were affected by the violence, underscoring the scale of the problem facing retailers in France.

Les Mousquetaires chairman Thierry Cotillard also weighed in on the situation, describing the looting as "unacceptable" and calling for an end to the unrest.

The scenes of looting and rioting in France have left business leaders shaken, with some calling for an end to the unrest. At least two franchises owned by Les Mousquetaires chairman Thierry Cotillard were targeted during Saturday's riots in Paris and Rennes.

Cotillard has expressed his support for employees affected by the damage, assuring them that they are not alone in this difficult time. His comments come as French business leaders urge authorities to restore order and protect local shopkeepers from further violence.

---
Source: [Business Insider](https://www.businessinsider.com/france-paris-looting-riots-business-leaders-respond-2026-10)  
Published by News Central Site: https://newscentral.site/riots-sweep-across-france-targeting-over-1-500-businesses/