Riots at the MediaMarkt discount campaign in Rotterdam, two arrests

A discount campaign at a MediaMarkt store in Rotterdam backfired and led not to shoppers but to vandalism and riots. Due to the increasing unrest, several police units had to intervene and clear the area near the electronics store, NOS reports. The police arrested two people, a 37-year-old man was arrested for threatening a dog handler and a 21-year-old man for not following a police order.

The store was to be open for one hour on Saturday night to celebrate its 25th anniversary, allowing customers to buy products at high discounts. The campaign attracted many visitors and hundreds of people stood outside the MediaMarkt store.

However, the situation escalated and people almost stormed the store to get in. Windows and a glass door were smashed and people started to get violent in the street. In addition, fireworks were set off, according to the broadcaster.

In a press release, Mediamarkt announced that the discount campaign had to be canceled due to the large crowds and the fact that “people with bad intentions” were present shortly before the store opened. In consultation with the police, Mediamarkt decided to cancel the campaign.

The police cleared the square during the night from Saturday to Sunday. It is not yet known how many people were arrested. About a hundred employees of MediaMarkt had to stay in the building for hours because it was not safe enough to go outside. The spokesperson of MediaMarkt speaks of a "considerable impact".

The MediaMarkt on the Binnenwegplein in Rotterdam is expected to reopen around noon on Sunday, an hour later than usual, a spokesperson for the electronics store reported on Sunday.

MediaMarkt will now evaluate “what we could have done differently”. There were 12 security guards on duty. “Something will probably come out of it,” said the spokesperson, who then also reported that people who want to disrupt something will always find an opportunity to do so. “I have the feeling that we have done a lot for safety.”

The discount campaign will continue, only the form is still being discussed.