A Carrefour store in Laval, France, is experiencing an unexpected surge in attention after employees began posting popular videos on TikTok. The lighthearted content, featuring store staff and behind-the-scenes glimpses of daily operations, has attracted a large online following – and, in one instance, prompted management to assign security detail to a young employee. The situation highlights the growing intersection of retail work, social media fame, and the challenges of navigating online attention in the workplace.
A young Carrefour employee in Laval, France, has gained significant social media attention following a series of viral TikTok videos filmed at her workplace, and is now receiving security protection.
The Carrefour store in the Grenoux district of Laval has become an unexpected local attraction after several cashiers, working with a social media manager, began posting regular videos on TikTok. The videos, featuring choreography, skits, and glimpses into store life, initially garnered modest views but exploded in popularity in December, with some posts exceeding 7 million views. The store’s TikTok account, now followed by nearly 100,000 users, was temporarily suspended due to a surge of fake accounts created by individuals attempting to imitate or impersonate the young cashiers.
Léonie, a student who works at the store on weekends, has emerged as the central figure in this viral success. The attention surrounding her prompted store management to assign a security guard to protect her from visitors, primarily teenagers, who came to see her. “It’s a young audience, who after school, came to the hypermarket. We weren’t prepared. We decided to post a security guard, to protect the young woman,” explained Angélique Durchon, the store director, to ICI Mayenne.
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“Everyone is talking about me”
While some local residents have welcomed the positive attention for Laval, others have expressed concerns about Léonie’s safety. Clara, a sales associate in the shopping center, reported “groups of young boys shouting her first name” as she walked through the store. The proliferation of fake accounts and identity theft attempts have heightened the need for vigilance. The young influencers have also faced unauthorized photography within the store and received abusive comments online.
Other aspiring influencers at the store, such as Agathe, a student at EFAP Rennes, are approaching their newfound popularity with caution. “It’s a shock, everyone is talking about me,” she told the local radio station. They are considering creating a BeReal account, the instant photo-sharing app, to better control their image and provide a behind-the-scenes look at their daily lives. This move reflects a broader trend among influencers seeking greater control over their online presence.
In response to the success, Carrefour France published an official video featuring the Laval team on its TikTok account. According to community manager Ilham Chairi Roussel, the goal remains to showcase the store’s atmosphere: “In the beginning, it was simply entertainment, and it should remain so. It brings a very good atmosphere to the team,” she told ICI Mayenne. The company appears to be embracing this localized digital strategy, blending community engagement with national visibility.
