Business · Companies · 3 hrs ago
More than 2,000 French shops reported damaged after weekend protests
More than 2,000 shops in France were damaged or looted during violence linked to protests against the rising cost of living on 17 October.
Alain Di Crescenzo, who heads the country’s chambers of commerce, says the damage could cost hundreds of millions of euros to repair.
Shop owners say they have lost stock and income, and some fear for their physical safety.
The government has announced a dedicated support fund for affected businesses.
It has also said part-time work measures start Tuesday for shops hit by the violence.
Commerce Minister Serge Papin met representatives of businesses, banks and insurers, and the government says it will help with repairs and insurance steps.
More than 2,000 shops were damaged or looted during violence around demonstrations against the cost of living on October 17, according to CCI France president Alain Di Crescenzo.
Di Crescenzo estimated repairs could cost hundreds of millions of euros.
He called for emergency support, including a dedicated fund, partial unemployment measures and a pause on social and tax charges.
The government said it would help affected businesses with recovery and repair, and announced a specific support fund and partial unemployment measures.
The government had not provided an estimate of the damage cost.
- Who
- More than 2,000 businesses were reportedly affected. CCI France president Alain Di Crescenzo and government officials discussed support.
- What
- Businesses were damaged and looted, prompting calls for emergency financial and practical support.
- When
- The damage occurred around demonstrations on October 17. The support discussions and announcements took place on October 19.
- Where
- France; the articles mention a meeting at Bercy and new looting in Paris.
- Why
- The damage occurred in the margin of demonstrations against the cost of living.
CCI France
Government
Scale of support
CCI France
Di Crescenzo called for hundreds of millions of euros in funding and other urgent measures for affected businesses.
Government
The government promised to facilitate repairs and announced a specific support fund and partial unemployment measures, but had not estimated the damage cost.
Immediate needs
CCI France
Di Crescenzo sought partial unemployment measures, a moratorium on social and tax charges, and a prompt response from insurers.
Government
Government spokesperson Maud Bregeon said insurers would have a role and that the government would help businesses with procedures and repairs.
Demonstrations against the cost of living took place, with damage and looting reported around them.
At least 30 businesses in Paris were looted, according to the city’s mayor.
Commerce Minister Serge Papin met representatives of business groups, banks and insurers at Bercy.
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced a specific support fund for affected businesses and partial unemployment measures starting Tuesday.
- Affected businesses
- More than 2,000, according to Alain Di Crescenzo
- Estimated repair costs
- Hundreds of millions of euros, according to Di Crescenzo
- Damage date
- October 17
- Government announcements
- A specific support fund and partial unemployment measures
- Paris looting
- At least 30 businesses, according to Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire
7 sources
After looting, devastated French shop owners face 'hundreds of millions of euros' in damages
"Si leur activité est interrompue…" : quelle indemnisation pour les commerçants victimes des dégradations du 17 octobre ?
Au moins 2.000 ont été "directement touchés": le gouvernement veut "faciliter" la remise en état des commerces touchés par les violences
What people are saying
We will have to find hundreds of millions of euros
We are at the end of our tether, we cannot take any more and we are afraid. It is an economic fear and a physical fear.
We will be by their side
Everything will be done to facilitate as much as necessary the procedures and the restoration of their businesses
Posts on X
🔴 Commerces pillés : 🗣️ "On sera bien sûr aux côtés de chacun, les assurances auront aussi un rôle à jouer.", @MaudBregeon, porte-parole du gouvernement ➡️ L'interview de @SehlaBougriou | Matinale LCI