Apple Closes French Stores Ahead of Further Protests

Apple has announced the closure of seven stores across France ahead of anticipated protests, as the nation gears up for demonstrations following a series of violent incidents. The affected locations encompass all three Paris stores - Champs-Élysées, Opéra, and Marché Saint-Germain, as well as outlets in Bordeaux Sainte-Catherine, Lille, Strasbourg, and Aix-en-Provence. These closures are likely precautionary measures to safeguard employees and retail premises during the anticipated unrest.

Interestingly, the stores situated in shopping malls are anticipated to operate as usual during the closure period. Apple's outlets in Lille and Bordeaux, which were targeted during a series of protests on October 17, are included in this list. The demonstrations are ostensibly centered around concerns of escalating living costs and substandard conditions in educational institutions.

According to the Associated Press, approximately 350,000 individuals took part in peaceful protests on October 17; however, violence and looting erupted in numerous cities following the demonstrations.

Following the looting incidents, there were reports of stolen iPhones displaying a warning message, indicating they had been disabled and were being tracked, along with instructions to return them to their respective stores. A video purportedly capturing such a message surfaced, shared by an account named Le Signal. The closures of the three Paris stores, Bordeaux Sainte-Catherine, and Aix-en-Provence extend to Sunday, with these establishments opening from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Conversely, the Lille and Strasbourg stores will remain closed on Sunday but resume operations on Monday.