Sephora closed its French stores after violent riots left several branches ransacked and employees facing frightening confrontations, with its European and Middle Eastern president insisting that staff and customer safety must come before business.
Catherine Spindler said the LVMH-owned beauty retailer shut its French stores from 5pm on Saturday, 17 October, before keeping its city-centre network closed on Sunday, 18 October. The closures followed demonstrations over the cost of living and education that escalated into looting and vandalism across Paris and other French cities.
In a statement posted on LinkedIn, Spindler described the scenes as deeply upsetting, both as a business leader and as a mother and citizen. She said several Sephora stores had been ransacked, while members of the company's workforce had experienced violence, fear and extreme tension. Her response put the safety of employees and customers at the centre of the company's decision to suspend trading.
Sephora Boss Says Staff Safety Comes Before Business
Spindler said the violence had left her concerned about employees caught up in the unrest. 'Yesterday, several of our stores in France were ransacked,' she wrote, before describing the experiences of colleagues who had faced frightening situations. 'Even more seriously, women and men in our teams have been confronted with situations of violence, fear and great tension.'
The executive stressed that employees should never have to fear for their safety simply because they were going to work. She explained that Sephora had decided to close its stores from 5pm on Saturday and keep its city-centre network closed on Sunday. 'Because no business consideration will ever weigh more than the safety of our teams and our customers,' she said.
Spindler also highlighted the people behind the beauty retailer's operations, including those who welcome shoppers, offer advice and help customers discover products. She acknowledged the difficult circumstances faced by employees and said the company would support its teams in practical terms and for as long as necessary. Her message made clear that protecting staff was more important than maintaining normal trading during the unrest.
Luxury Retailers Face Fallout From French Riots
Sephora was among the retailers affected by the unrest, which saw shops targeted by vandals and looters across France. Luxury names reported to have suffered damage or been targeted included Louis Vuitton, Burberry, Christian Dior Parfums, Kenzo, Celine, Lacoste, Salomon and Arc'teryx. The incidents highlighted the risks facing retail workers and businesses when demonstrations escalate into violence.
The disruption left retailers facing the prospect of damaged premises, theft and the cost of securing and repairing their stores. However, the extent of the damage varied between businesses, and reports of shops being targeted should not be taken to mean that every named brand suffered the same losses. The incidents also underscored the difficult decisions retailers must make when public disorder threatens the safety of employees and customers.
Sephora's decision demonstrated how quickly security concerns can force a major beauty retailer to suspend trading. While Spindler made clear that employee and customer safety took precedence over commercial considerations, a comprehensive public update confirming when every affected store reopened was not established in the reporting reviewed. The company's immediate priority, according to her statement, was the welfare of the people working in its stores.
