Business · Companies · 3 hrs ago
Carrefour cuts forecasts after riots and looting in France
Carrefour has lowered its earnings forecast after unrest and looting in France.
The French supermarket group says the turmoil has reduced customer visits, weakened consumer confidence and increased costs.
It now expects adjusted earnings per share to be flat or rise slightly, instead of the high-single-digit growth it had previously forecast.
Carrefour also cut 2026 targets for its recurring operating margin, free cash flow and investment spending.
About 50 stores were affected on the first day of unrest, with some looted or damaged; curfews have also shortened opening hours in some places.
The unrest followed protests over the high cost of living, while rising energy costs were already weighing on household spending.
Further demonstrations are planned for Saturday, and France’s prime minister has announced a large police mobilization.
Carrefour cut its 2026 profit forecast, citing unrest in France that has kept customers away and damaged stores.
The retailer now expects adjusted earnings per share to be stable or to grow slightly, down from its previous forecast of high single-digit growth.
It also lowered 2026 targets for recurring operating margin, free cash flow and investment spending.
Chief executive Alexandre Bompard said the group faced an unprecedented situation in France and uncertainty over consumer spending and store operations.
The unrest has also increased security and logistics costs, as the retail sector approaches the year-end shopping period.
- Who
- Carrefour, the French supermarket chain led by chief executive Alexandre Bompard.
- What
- It lowered its 2026 profit forecast and other targets, citing the effects of unrest in France.
- When
- The forecast changes were reported on October 20, 2026.
- Where
- France.
- Why
- Carrefour said unrest had reduced store visits and consumer confidence, damaged stores and raised security and logistics costs.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Nationwide protests over the cost of living in France were accompanied by serious unrest and looting.
About 50 Carrefour stores were affected, according to Bompard, as reported by Il Sole 24 Ore.
Carrefour announced lower forecasts for 2026, including adjusted earnings per share that it expects to be stable or to grow slightly.
The Yellow Vests movement called for new demonstrations.
- Adjusted earnings per share
- Expected to be stable or to grow slightly in 2026
- Previous earnings forecast
- High single-digit growth
- Stores affected
- About 50 on the first day of unrest
- Chief executive
- Alexandre Bompard
- Other 2026 targets cut
- Recurring operating margin, free cash flow and investment spending
6 sources
Carrefour zet streep door doelen 2026 na rellen en plunderingen in Frankrijk
Unruhen in Frankreich: Handelskette Carrefour kappt Prognose
Carrefour blames French riots as it cuts profit forecast
Carrefour empeora sus previsiones anuales por los disturbios en Francia: “Es una situación sin precedentes”
Allarme utili di Carrefour: l’ondata di violenze in Francia cambia le stime
Randale: Unruhen in Frankreich: Handelskette Carrefour kappt Prognose
What people are saying
Our group is facing an unprecedented situation in France
As the crucial year-end period for retail approaches, this situation is having a significant impact on consumption, already under pressure because of rising energy costs