India, Oct. 19 -- The CEO of Carrefour, one of France's largest supermarket chains and among the world's biggest retailers, has said that 50 of its stores were targeted during riots that swept across France on Saturday.

Taking to X, Alexandre Bompard condemned the violence and called for stronger protection for businesses after demonstrations against the rising cost of living and deteriorating public services escalated into clashes, vandalism and looting across several French cities.

"Nothing can justify such violence," Bompard wrote on X in French. "Those who attack the work tools of courageous entrepreneurs and their teams in this way must face an uncompromising response," he continued.

"The Republic must protect its shopkeepers!" he...