Top French designers 'temporarily' stop business in Russia over Ukraine war

French luxury giants LVMH, Hermes and Chanel have announced that they will temporarily close their shops in Russia starting this weekend. The move comes as a reaction to Moscow's decision to invade Ukraine on 24 February. 

Happier days: Bernard Arnault, chairman and chief executive of LVMH Moët Hennessy – Louis Vuitton SE, the world's largest luxury goods company, meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, 24 November 2016. AFP - MIKHAIL KLIMENTYEV

Hermes group runs three stores in Russia, including one in the Gum department store on Red Square, and employs 60 people in the country.

"Taking into account the situation in the region, LVMH regrets to announce the temporary closure of its stores in Russia from March 6," an LVMH spokesperson told AFP, affecting some 124 shops.

The group also announced a €5 million donation to support the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

Chanel, which has 17 stores in Russia, said that "major uncertainty and the complexities of operating" had led it to temporarily suspend its operations in the country.

"French fashion giants LVMH, Hermes, Kering, and Chanel are suspending business operations in Russia." https://t.co/v6Jm3uy630

— J. #EmergencyConfetti Doyle (@sibersong) March 5, 2022

"We won't be delivering to Russia any more, we will close our stores and we have already suspended internet shopping," the luxury brand said.

Hermes said "it's with regret that we have taken the decision to temporarily close our stores in Russia and pause all our commercial activities from March 4".

When it published its financial results last month, Hermes said it was planning to open a store in Saint Petersburg this year, but told AFP Friday it is "postponed".

Several multinationals have announced the suspension of their activities in Russia, including Swedish furniture giant IKEA.

"The war has had a huge human impact already. It is also resulting in serious disruptions to supply chain and trading conditions," the company said in a statement to AFP on Thursday.

Among others that have paused activities are Intel, Airbnb, ExxonMobil, Apple, Boeing and Ford.

(With AFP)