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The list of retailers halting operations in Russia grows: Uniqlo, Burger King, and more

Uniqlo and Burger King are among the latest to press pause.
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Francis Scialabba

7 min read

This story was last updated at 6pm ET on March 10, 2022.

When Russia invaded Ukraine late last month, brands and businesses scrambled to respond. But soon enough, retailers across the world started to announce they would halt operations—at least temporarily—in Russia.

From Apple to Nike to H&M, the list is growing. And consumers have urged more businesses to boycott the country: #BoycottPepsi and #BoycottCocaCola trended on Twitter, adding to the pressure to suspend ties with Russia. Both companies did so on March 8, but PepsiCo noted that it has a “humanitarian responsibility” to continue selling “daily essentials such as milk and baby formula.”

There are also those that decided to take a different stance—at first. Uniqlo’s parent company, Fast Retailing Co., for example, initially said it would keep the retailer’s 50 Russian stores up and running.

  • “Clothing is a necessity of life. The people of Russia have the same right to live as we do,” CEO Tadashi Yanai said in an email to Nikkei, adding that “everyone should oppose” war.

Days later, on March 10, after mounting pushback, the retailer reversed course and said it would temporarily close its stores in the country.

Here’s a running list of retailers, in chronological order, that have paused business in Russia. Retail Brew will continue to update this as more announcements are made, so be sure to check back.

With additional reporting by Becca Laurie.

March 1

Apple: The tech company paused product sales and stopped exporting products to Russia after the Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine, Mykhailo Fedorov, published an open letter to CEO Tim Cook on February 25.

March 2

H&M: The Swedish apparel company paused all sales in Russia and Belarus, and temporarily closed its stores in Ukraine amid safety concerns.

Asos: The British online fashion retailer suspended sales in Russia.

Boohoo: The UK-based online fashion retailer paused operations in Russia.

Canada Goose: The Toronto-based luxury retailer suspended all wholesale and e-commerce sales in the country.

March 3

Under Armour: The sportswear company stopped all shipments to Russian sales channels and distribution partners.

Richemont: The company closed its dozen retail locations in Russia, including Cartier stores, and paused commercial operations.

Nike: The sneaker giant temporarily suspended operations at its roughly 116 Russian stores while also committing to paying employee salaries after already pausing online sales.

Ikea: The world’s largest furniture brand closed its Russian stores and stopped sourcing in the country and in Belarus.

TJX Companies: The parent company of TJMaxx, Marshalls, and HomeGoods said it plans to sell off its 25% stake in Russian retail chain Familia.

Mango: The Spanish fashion retailer temporarily shuttered its online business and 55 of its 120 shops in Russia. The remaining 65 of those are franchisee-operated and can remain open.

Carlsberg: The Danish brewer will discontinue sales of its flagship beer and will halt new investments in Russia, but will continue to operate its several breweries there as a separate business.

March 4

LVMH: The Christian Dior and Fendi owner announced it would close its 120+ Russian stores.

Hermès: The French luxury brand paused all business operations in Russia, including its three stores in Moscow.

Chanel: The luxury brand said it would no longer deliver to Russia while pausing its e-commerce operations and closing its boutiques in the country.

Kering: The Gucci owner said it will continue to “support its local teams” while temporarily closing its two stores in the country.

JD Sports: The British sportswear retailer stopped all business in Russia, including on its brand sites and wholesale channels.

March 5

Inditex: The owner of Zara paused business in Russia, closing its 500+ stores and online platform.

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Puma: Employees of the sportswear retailer’s 100+ Russian locations will continue to be paid as the company temporarily shuts down operations.

March 6

Burberry: The luxury brand temporarily closed its three stores in Russia after announcing the week prior it had halted deliveries to them.

March 7

Estée Lauder: The cosmetics company temporarily suspended “all commercial activity” in Russia while continuing to compensate employees.

Adidas: The sportswear giant closed its Russian stores and halted e-commerce operations until further notice, but will continue to pay its employees there.

Levi Strauss & Co: The clothing company has halted sales and investments in Russia.

Procter & Gamble: The consumer-goods conglomerate has stopped all new capital investments in Russia and will operate on a “reduced scale,” focusing on basic hygiene and personal care products.

March 8

McDonald’s: The fast-food chain is temporarily closing its 850 locations in Russia, but will keep paying its 62,000 employees in the country.

Starbucks: The coffee chain suspended all business activity in Russia, including the temporary closure of all ~130 licensed locations in the country.

PepsiCo: The food company suspended sales of its soft drinks and beverages in Russia, as well as capital investment and promotional activities, but said that it has a “humanitarian responsibility” to continue selling “daily essentials such as milk and baby formula.”

Coca-Cola: Amid growing pressure, the soda giant announced that it was “suspending its business in Russia.”

L’Oréal: The cosmetics giant shut its stores and suspended online sales as well as investments in Russia.

Unilever: The consumer goods giant said that it “would not invest any further” in Russia and has paused all imports and exports of its products into and out of the country, but will continue to sell the “essential food and hygiene products” that it makes there.

​​Kraft Heinz: The packaged-food company has stopped imports and exports of its products into and out of Russia and is pausing all investment in the country.

Yum! Brands: After pausing investment and development in Russia, the fast-food corporation plans to suspend operations at 70 company-owned KFC locations and is “finalizing an agreement to suspend all 50 Pizza Hut outlets in partnership with its master franchisee.”

Amazon: The e-comm giant has suspended all shipments of retail products to Russia and Belarus and won’t accept any new third-party sellers to its platform in those countries.

March 9

Heineken: The Dutch beer maker announced that it has paused sales, advertising, and production in Russia.

Mothercare: The British baby product retailer suspended all business in Russia, including shipments to the country.

Nestlé: The packaged-food giant suspended all capital investments in Russia.

Little Caesars: The Detroit-based pizza chain suspended all operations in Russia.

Philip Morris: The cigarette maker is scaling down manufacturing in Russia and has suspended all planned investment in the country.

Mondelēz International: The snack food and beverage conglomerate that owns Cadbury, Oreo, Ritz, and more, is “scaling back all non-essential activities,” including a suspension of new capital investments and advertising in Russia.

March 10

Uniqlo: In a reversal, the apparel chain’s parent company says it will suspend operations in Russia.

Burger King: The fast-food chain has stopped providing corporate support of its 800+ franchisees in Russia, which includes denying approvals for investment or expansion.

Mars: The candy maker suspended imports and exports into and out of Russia, paused new investments, and will not advertise in Russia or Belarus.

Retail news that keeps industry pros in the know

Retail Brew delivers the latest retail industry news and insights surrounding marketing, DTC, and e-commerce to keep leaders and decision-makers up to date.

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