Foreign companies operating in Russia despite international sanctions and widespread criticism are facing a backlash in Poland as people increasingly boycott their brands.
According to government data, according to Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Moravietski, store sales for such brands in Poland are declining. “It shows that the general public, rather than the enterprise, understands that the present era is exceptional,” Morawicki said. Said To reporter on March 24th. “Dignity needs to take action that causes loss.”
The Polish Prime Minister did not say which particular brands were affected, but French companies like the home refurbishment chain Leroy Merlin and the grocery chain Auchan are both facing boycott campaigns against them. ..
Local entities have also taken action against several brands. The state broadcaster Polskie Radio has stopped broadcasting Leroy Merlin commercials. Poland’s largest private television network, TVN, has suspended sponsorship agreements with French companies.
Leroy Merlin closed six stores operating in Ukraine after the war began. However, 112 stores in Russia are still open and the company has not indicated plans to close them. The Leroy Merlin outlet in Kyiv’s Retroville Mall was recently damaged after the mall was bombed by Russia.
In February, the company’s Ukrainian workers signed a petition calling for withdrawal from Russia. According to the brand, the brand eventually crippled communication within the Ukrainian unit by blocking the employee’s internal Gmail account. New York Times..
Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Zelensky Asked French companies such as Leroy Merlan, Ochan and Renault have left the Russian market and stopped being “sponsors of Russian war machines” in a speech at the French National Assembly on March 23.
Philip Zimmerman, secretary of Leroy Merlin’s parent company Adeo, responded to the Ukrainian Prime Minister’s request, saying he was “hurt” by comment. “this [kind of discourse] It can put employees at risk, “he said. Said In the local French newspaper La Voix du Nord.
Russia, meanwhile, is looking to countries such as China, India, Turkey and Iran to make up for the losses of western retailers. The Russian Shopping Center Council is negotiating with four countries to determine alternatives to Western brands.
“A list of foreign companies that have temporarily shut down in Russia has been sent to them so that they can find suitable equivalents,” the organization said. Said In the statement. “Over time, this helps to complement or completely replace obsolete branded products with products of similar quality and design.”
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Naveen Athrappully is a news reporter on business and global events in The Epoch Times.