In reaction to the Russian war of aggression once morest Ukraine, several western food giants and food chains announced the closure of their branches in Russia on Tuesday. The fast-food giant McDonald’s, for example, is closing its approximately 850 branches in Russia. “We cannot ignore the needless human suffering that is taking place in Ukraine,” the company said. McDonald’s has therefore decided to temporarily close all branches in Russia and to discontinue business in Russia, the company announced on Tuesday.
The Starbucks coffee chain also ceased operations in Russia. “We have decided to suspend all business activities in Russia,” Starbucks announced in a letter to employees. The company has around 130 stores in Russia operated by licensees, according to analysts.
The US beverage giant Coca-Cola followed suit and suspended its business in Russia. It expressed sympathy to the people of Ukraine in view of the “tragic events”. Finally, the US beverage and food company Pepsico also announced that it intends to severely restrict its business in Russia. The company wants to temporarily suspend the sale and manufacture of soft drinks such as Pepsi, 7Up and Mirinda. In addition, Pepsico will stop investments and all and marketing activities in Russia.
However, the company, which also has a wide food division, wants to continue to maintain an offer in Russia. These include dairy products and baby food. These are important everyday items for which Pepsico has a “humanitarian” responsibility.
The companies had recently come under increasing pressure due to their ongoing business activities in Russia. There were calls for a boycott on the Internet, and an influential New York pension fund called on some US companies to withdraw from Russia.
Because of the Russian war of aggression once morest Ukraine, more and more Western companies are withdrawing from the Russian market for the time being. The boycott ranges from Apple to BMW and Ikea to Siemens and Visa.
The Swatch Group also announced on Tuesday that the watch brands it owns are closing their stores in Russia. The group did not say how many shops and employees of brands such as Omega, Blancpain or Longines in Russia are affected.
Unlike the chocolate group Lindt & Sprüngli, which is currently maintaining its activities in Russia, as the company said at the annual media conference on Tuesday. Lind
