France’s Luxury Stores Board Up Windows Ahead of a New Wave of Protest

Synopsis

France, the world's most visited country, draws large numbers of overseas shoppers seeking Chanel handbags and Hermes scarves, an important revenue source for brands facing slowing demand. But some decided staying open was too risky after last week's events, when rioters smashed and looted hundreds of shops in Paris, Marseille and Bordeaux.

Groups including France's main student union UNEF and the Yellow Vest group, which emerged as a potent anti-establishment movement in 2018, plan to march through central Paris later on Saturday, October 24, 2026 to protest against high living costs and cuts to public services.

Action from the Interior Minister

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said on Friday, October 23, 2026 that his ministry would deploy 70,000 police officers, backed by specialist units, to prevent the violence that occurred last week. "Look at social media,” he said. “There have been calls from the far-left to target public buildings.

“We are not talking about a nice protest," he went on. Nunez issued a firm warning, adding: "We are ready tomorrow to be extremely firm and not tolerate anything."

Earlier this week, Emmanuel Macron pledged to help young people build a “desirable future”, after days of violent protests across France. The interior ministry confirmed almost 2,000 people had been arrested amid the country's worst riots in years, which saw protesters clash with riot police and multiple civic buildings set ablaze.

Bracing for Security

A Rolex retailer and a De Beers store near the capital's famous Place Vendome will remain closed on Saturday, October 24, 2026 staff said, while managers at stores including Richemont-owned Compagnie Financière said they would decide whether to close early depending on the intensity of the protests.

But staff at LVMH brands Louis Vuitton, Dior and Bulgari said they weren't taking any chances and security at their stores near Place Vendome had been increased for the day.

Additional private security to supplement the police presence in the neighbourhood is also planned. Nearby department store Printemps also increased its security staff, carried out safety repairs and added security measures to reinforce shop windows and entrances, a spokesperson for the store said.

Hermès finance chief Eric du Halgouet said this week the company had increased security measures at its French stores, adding it was too early to say how much impact recent events would have on business. The image-conscious industry can ill afford further negative publicity. Consumer sentiment is gloomy worldwide and tourism is slowing as a result of the Iran war - contributing to disappointing quarterly reports at Louis Vuitton, Hermes and Kering this month.

Lidiya Shevchenko, a sales assistant at a Graziella Braccialini store, said she doubted many people would be looking to visit stores anyway during the protests. "I suppose the mood is just as important when it comes to shopping," Shevchenko said. One tourist who has already been put off is Cambodian Jerry Lay, who purchased several items from Louis Vuitton on the Champs-Élysées earlier this week. "We do enjoy shopping in France, but after experiencing the protest (last Saturday), I'd say it's 50/50 whether I would consider coming back next time," Lay said.