Shattered storefronts and 'eat the rich' graffiti: Photos show the aftermath of destruction in luxury stores that were looted and vandalized during the protests

Dominic-Madori DavisJun 2, 2020, 04:10 IST

Gucci on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, CaliforniaMARK RALSTON / Contributor / Getty Images

Luxury stores like Chanel and Gucci were looted over the weekend amid protests over the death of George Floyd.
High-end retailers in areas such as SoHo were already boarded up as retail stores closed throughout the world because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Small businesses, big-box retailers, and mom-and-pop shops are also being targeted by looters.
The looters are not necessarily tied to the protest movement, but the targeting of luxury stores highlights the resentment some people are feeling towards brands that cater to the 1%.

Luxury stores — specifically in the wealthy areas of Beverly Hills and SoHo — were looted and vandalized this past weekend.

In SoHo, one of the most expensive neighborhoods in the US, many luxury stores were already boarded up due to closures amid the coronavirus pandemic. While the pandemic did not cause the rampant looting many expected it might cause, vandalism escalated following protests over racial injustice and the death of George Floyd at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer.

Big-box retailers like Target, small businesses, and mom-and-pop shops are also being targeted by looters. But the specific targeting of luxury stores highlights the economic tension brought forth by the rising inequality in the United States. In the past three months, 40 million Americans filed for unemployment due to coronavirus-related layoffs; meanwhile, CNBC reported on May 21 that America's billionaires had collectively become $434 billion richer.

Chanel, Goyard, Gucci, and Hermes are some of the most notable names in luxury, and some of the most recognizable symbols of wealth and exclusivity. They were among the stores targeted by looters.

Here are photos of some of the most notable luxury retailers that were looted and vandalized amid the protests.

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Protests have erupted all over the United States after the killing of a black man named George Floyd by Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin.

A protester holding a Black Lives Matter / Dump Trump sign stands in front of a Florida State Troopers line on a highway during a rally in response to the recent death of George Floyd in Miami, Florida, on May 31, 2020. RICARDO ARDUENGO/AFP via Getty Images

Amid the protests, looters began targeting luxury retail stores across the country, from Manhattan's SoHo neighborhood to Beverly Hills' famous Rodeo Drive.

La Perla in Beverly Hills, California MARK RALSTON / Contributor / Getty Images

Though small businesses and big-box retailers are also being looted, some people have taken this time to specifically express their frustration over other aspects of American society — like rampant economic inequality.

Goyard store in Beverly Hills, California MARK RALSTON / Contributor / Getty Images

Though small businesses and big-box retailers are also being looted, some people have taken this time to specifically express their frustration over other aspects of American society — like rampant economic inequality.

Designer stores in other cities, like Boston, Atlanta, and Seattle, were also looted, vandalized, or covered in graffiti.

Chanel store on Newbury street in Boston, Massachusetts. Maddie Meyer / Staff / Getty Images

Many luxury stores were already boarded up as retailers throughout the world shut because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Hermes in Beverly Hills, California. MARK RALSTON / Contributor / Getty Images

Gucci, which saw destruction to and looting from some of its stores, directly addressed the protests on social media.

Gucci on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, California MARK RALSTON / Contributor / Getty Images

Other retailers, such as Louis Vuitton, have received backlash for seemingly ignoring the protests. This past weekend, the brand released the campaign for its latest bag collection.

Louis Vuitton store in New York, New York. REUTERS

Other retailers, such as Louis Vuitton, have received backlash for seemingly ignoring the protests. This past weekend, the brand released the campaign for its latest bag collection.

Protesters also looted watch stores ...

Swatch store in Downtown Manhattan. Andrew Lichtenstein/Corbis via Getty Images

... and jewelry stores in SoHo.

The Uno de 50 jewellery store in New York AP Photo/Mark Lennihan

A Dolce & Gabbana location in Manhattan was also targeted by looters, who smashed the glass windows of the storefront ...

Dolce and Gabbana in New York Mark Lennihan / AP

High-end accessories brand Moncler's store was also targeted.

A Moncler store in SoHo. Raymond Hall/GC Images / Getty Images

Nordstrom saw its Los Angeles location in The Grove vandalized. The retailer also issued a statement on the protests in an open letter to its employees.

Nordstrom in The Grove, Los Angeles, California. VALERIE MACON / Contributor / Getty Images

L'Occitane en Provence, a beauty retailer, had its windows broken during the looting in New York City.

L'Occitane in New York, New York. JOHANNES EISELE / Contributor / Getty Images

Twitter users also captured videos of stores being looted and shared them on social media.

MARK RALSTON/AFP via Getty Images

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Shattered storefronts and 'eat the rich' graffiti: Photos show the aftermath of destruction in luxury stores that were looted and vandalized during the protests

Protests have erupted all over the United States after the killing of a black man named George Floyd by Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin.

Amid the protests, looters began targeting luxury retail stores across the country, from Manhattan's SoHo neighborhood to Beverly Hills' famous Rodeo Drive.

Though small businesses and big-box retailers are also being looted, some people have taken this time to specifically express their frustration over other aspects of American society — like rampant economic inequality.

Designer stores in other cities, like Boston, Atlanta, and Seattle, were also looted, vandalized, or covered in graffiti.

Many luxury stores were already boarded up as retailers throughout the world shut because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Gucci, which saw destruction to and looting from some of its stores, directly addressed the protests on social media.

Other retailers, such as Louis Vuitton, have received backlash for seemingly ignoring the protests. This past weekend, the brand released the campaign for its latest bag collection.

Protesters also looted watch stores ...

... and jewelry stores in SoHo.

A Dolce & Gabbana location in Manhattan was also targeted by looters, who smashed the glass windows of the storefront ...

High-end accessories brand Moncler's store was also targeted.

Nordstrom saw its Los Angeles location in The Grove vandalized. The retailer also issued a statement on the protests in an open letter to its employees.

L'Occitane en Provence, a beauty retailer, had its windows broken during the looting in New York City.

Twitter users also captured videos of stores being looted and shared them on social media.