Seven Apple stores across France are closed today, as the country prepares for another round of demonstrations a week after looters targeted two of the company’s headquarters.
As first noted by MacGenerationthe affected stores include all three Parisian locations: Champs-Élysées, Opéra and Marché Saint-Germain. Apple’s website also lists Saturday closures for Bordeaux Sainte-Catherine, Lille, Strasbourg and Aix-en-Provence.
The closures are likely a precaution to protect employees and stores during the protests. The seven locations have entrances directly onto the street, while Apple stores within the malls are expected to operate normally during the period.
Apple stores in Lille and Bordeaux were looted during the October 17 riots. Both were among many companies targeted across France.
The demonstrations concern the rising cost of living and poor conditions in schools, according to the Associated press. Hundreds of thousands of people are said to have protested peacefully on October 17, but violence and looting broke out in several cities.
Following the looting, reports emerged of stolen iPhones bearing deactivation and tracking notices, along with instructions to return them to the stores of origin. A video shared by Le Signal supposedly shows the message.
The three Paris stores, Bordeaux Sainte-Catherine and Aix-en-Provence, list Sunday opening hours as noon to 6 p.m. Apple’s Lille and Strasbourg pages show that these stores will be closed on Sunday and will reopen on Monday.
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