French Riots Spur Looted Goods Sales on Vinted
Online marketplace Vinted becomes a platform for resale of items stolen during nationwide protests against public services and cost of living.
Following widespread riots across France, looters have begun listing and selling stolen goods on the online marketplace Vinted. Hundreds of thousands of people participated in protests against what they describe as declining and dysfunctional public services, exacerbated by a cost-of-living crisis. Amidst these demonstrations, numerous shops were looted.
Some of the items appearing on Vinted included explicit mentions of being "stolen during the protests" or referencing "October 17th," the date of significant demonstrations. Listings have also specified the cities from which goods were taken, with one mentioning a protest in Lyon. Many items were still displayed with security tags still attached. Among the stolen merchandise were makeup, official sports apparel, branded sneakers, and video games, often priced below their retail value.
France's Federation of Trade and Retail reported that nearly 3,000 shops were affected by the disturbances. The federation stated that the retail sector is "on the front line" and "already weakened by a succession of crises," emphasizing the financial devastation for business owners and their employees. In response, French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu announced that the government would implement furlough measures starting Tuesday.
In Paris, an estimated 300 to 400 businesses sustained damage. Luxury boutiques in areas like Place Vendome, including Dior, Rolex, Louis Vuitton, Ralph Lauren, and Gucci, reported smashed doors and damaged windows. In Marseille, the official store of the Ligue 1 club Olympique de Marseille was looted.
During the protests, approximately 2,400 individuals were arrested, and one protester died from cardiac arrest. Nearly 1,000 police officers sustained injuries. The ongoing unrest has also raised concerns among international investors, with French assets underperforming broader European markets. The situation adds pressure to President Emmanuel Macron's government as it prepares to pass a budget bill.
A Vinted spokesperson affirmed that "the sale of stolen goods, or soliciting them, is strictly prohibited on Vinted, and we have zero tolerance for it." The platform stated that its teams have been actively removing listings linked to the looting and enhancing monitoring of suspicious activity. The company also confirmed it is cooperating with law enforcement and French authorities.
