Paris business owners take stock as riots sweep the city: 'They'd taken everything'
Chaotic scenes unfolded on Saturday in Paris as rioters clashed with police and masked individuals looted businesses.
Paris business owners are assessing the damage caused by riots that swept through the city on Saturday, as protests turned violent and masked looters ransacked stores. Store owners reported that their shops were emptied and looters stole everything inside. A wine store owner told Business Insider that they had nothing left after masked marchers ransacked their establishment.
The situation felt "dystopian" for employees working in the area, as tear gas reportedly seeped into the store. Despite the heavy police presence and security measures, some shops decided to close early as the violence intensified. Shops targeted included boutique fashion brands, supermarkets, tech stores, bars, and vape shops. The CEO of Carrefour Group, one of France's largest supermarket chains, estimated that the cost of repairs to damaged stores would exceed $11 million, causing considerable human and economic consequences.
Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire offered government support to local businesses, requesting the creation of an emergency task force to assist shopkeepers with insurance and administrative procedures.
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