"They Show Videos of the Looting Instead of Receipts": Luxury Goods Appear at French Street Stalls

Luxury stores repeatedly looted amid protests
Some stores step up security to guard against looting

As large-scale protests across France escalated into violence and looting, videos circulating online have shown bags, clothing and other items suspected of being stolen from luxury stores being sold at street stalls. On October 21, videos emerged on social media showing street vendors in a location abroad selling bags, clothing and accessories from major luxury brands such as Louis Vuitton and Hermes.

Most of the protests were peaceful, but violence broke out in some areas, including looting, arson attacks on public facilities, and clashes with police. Luxury stores in Paris were particularly targeted. Social media.

The video showed luxury goods displayed on white cloth along a street where people were passing by. Some vendors were also seen holding several bags connected by straps. The person who posted the video said that the products from well-known brands were being sold at low prices. However, the exact location and date of the recording were not disclosed.

The released video shows luxury-brand goods displayed on a white cloth along one side of a street crowded with passersby. Some street vendors were also seen holding several bags linked together with a strap. Social media posts show...

Another social media user posted a photo that appeared to show a Chanel bag being sold on the street, captioning it, "The state of France's street secondhand markets." The user claimed, "Items looted from luxury stores are being sold for 80-90% less than their retail prices," adding, "There are no certificates of authenticity or receipts, but they show videos filmed during the looting as proof that the items are genuine."

Earlier, on October 17 local time, large-scale protests took place in France over rising prices and insufficient investment in public services such as education. According to France's Interior Ministry, about 550,000 people took part in the protests, while organizers estimated the turnout at 800,000.

Most of the protests were peaceful, but violence broke out in some areas, including shop looting, arson attacks on public facilities, and clashes with police. Luxury stores in Paris were particularly targeted. At the Louis Vuitton store in Place Vendome, people were seen striking the glass windows repeatedly in an attempt to break them. Some reportedly tried to smash the windows using street fixtures, but failed to break in.

At the Louis Vuitton store in Place Vendome, people were seen striking the window repeatedly in an attempt to break it. Social media.

Other luxury stores, however, were not spared. The Celine store on Avenue Montaigne in Paris was looted, and shops in major French cities were also attacked in succession, including the Louis Vuitton store in Marseille.

As looting spread, losses to France's business community have also mounted. According to local media and other sources, about 3,000 businesses nationwide are believed to have been affected by the violence. The insurance industry has forecast that related insured losses could reach as much as 1.2 billion euros (around 2 trillion won). As goods suspected of being looted have appeared on online secondhand marketplaces, French authorities and luxury brands have also begun responding.

Brands are using unique serial numbers for individual products to track the circulation of stolen goods, while authorities are working with online platforms to investigate suspicious transactions. The French government has imposed curfews in affected areas, increased the deployment of security personnel, and is preparing support measures for affected business owners.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.