By Virginia Hebrew
Moscow, March 4 (EFE) .- The Russians see how in recent days dozens of international brands of electronics, clothing, furniture or services have been announcing in a cascade the closure of their stores or the cessation of their production or operations in Russia, in response to the invasion of Ukraine and in parallel to the economic and financial sanctions adopted by the West.
The electronic giant Apple, the Swedish furniture chain Ikea, clothing or shoe multinationals such as H&M, Mango, Adidas or Nike, the toy company Lego, car giants such as Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo or Ford, the American rental platform Airbnb, the Maersk shipping company, insurers such as Europ Assistance, Boeing and Airbus in the aeronautical sector, payment methods such as Visa and Mastercard… The list is endless and covers all imaginable sectors.
WAVE OF WITHDRAWALS
A cascade of withdrawals from the country that predicts the loss of thousands of jobs and that is as loud as the water that falls in the spectacular “Evropeiski” (European) shopping center in Moscow, a microcosm of consumption with more than 500 stores in the center of Moscow, where dozens of Western brands converge.
By irony of fate, to the name of this complex and its symbol, an “e” crowned by European stars, is added that it is located just opposite the Kiev station in the capital.
This Friday, the ninth day of the war, everything seems normal in this complex, the boutiques are open, people walk and do their shopping, and the activity has not stopped.
There is only one sign of what may come: the Spanish Mango store is closed and with the shutter drawn, without any sign that explains it.
“I suppose it will be because of the sanctions,” Tatiana, a young woman who sells socks at a stand in front of the Spanish store, tells Efe reluctantly.
When asked if she is afraid that other stores will follow and that the shopping center may close, she affirms with conviction: “I am not afraid. Then Russian production will emerge.”
The Spanish fashion multinational Mango announced on Thursday that it had decided to close its own stores in Russia, where it has 800 employees, temporarily interrupt its operations in that country and stop the shipment of new merchandise due to the invasion of Ukraine.
In a statement, the company reported that it has 120 stores in Russia, 65 of which are franchises and 55 of its own. And the closing was not long in coming, although the franchisees will be able to continue operating and distributing the firm’s garments depending on the availability of stocks.
The Danish toy manufacturer Lego also has a store in this shopping center, which announced on Thursday the temporary suspension of the shipment of products to Russia.
The store was open and well stocked for the time being, but its manager is unwilling to comment on what the future may hold.
Just as reluctant to talk was the manager of Nike. The store was open despite the company yesterday announcing the closure of stores in Russia.
LAST SALES
At MVideo, various Apple products, phones and tablets were on display today, but not for sale.
Elvira, one of the vendors, tells Efe that there is something left in the store “but it’s already the remains.”
“The last few days many people came to buy, now you see, there is almost nothing left, and no supply is going to arrive,” he says.
Apple was one of the first Western companies to decide to leave Russia in response to the invasion. Elvira is not worried: “I think that way they will value Russia more,” she says.
Nearby is the Zara store, open, as well as Zara Home, Oysho and others belonging to the multinational Inditex, which has 527 stores in Russia of all its brands and more than 10,000 employees. It has not yet made a decision after the invasion of Ukraine, and has not joined the boycott unlike other competing brands, such as H&M, with 168 stores in Russia.
Nikita, a young salesman who has just finished his shift, resignedly answers if he fears that the brand’s stores may close: “I’m not worried anymore, you can’t be afraid for a long time. What has to happen will happen”.
The past few days, in the stores of the Swedish chain of furniture and objects for the home IKEA in Moscow and Saint Petersburg there were long queues before closing.
“In the current situation, IKEA is forced to suspend its sales in stores and via “online” in Russia from March 4, 2022,” says its website.
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