Carrefour Shares Plummet as French Riots Disrupt Operations

The grocer warned that its recurring operating profit margin will rise by no more than 15 basis points this year, a sharp downgrade from the previous forecast of over 25 basis points. Adjusted earnings per share are now expected to remain stable or show only slight growth, falling short of earlier projections for high single-digit gains. Chief Executive Alexandre Bompard pointed to intense uncertainty regarding consumer spending as the retail sector enters its crucial year-end period.

Operational challenges have mounted as student-led protests over the cost of living escalated into violent riots. Local authorities have mandated curfews in various urban areas, effectively slashing operating hours and forcing higher security expenditures at store locations. While third-quarter sales reached 22.69 billion euros—a 2.3% increase on a like-for-like basis—the domestic market in France saw more constrained growth of 1.2%, totaling 11.90 billion euros.