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The invasion of Ukraine and subsequent Western sanctions against Russia drove many foreign businesses out of Russia. To leave or to stay is the dilemma of French companies. Among them Auchan. Its CEO has decided to maintain the group’s presence in Russia. He explains himself in an interview with the “Journal du Dimanche”. This announcement has angered kyiv, which is calling for a boycott of Auchan, Decathlon and Leroy Merlin stores.
If he stays, it is first and foremost for the good of his employees, says the CEO of Auchan, Yves Claude. His group has been present in Russia for twenty years and employs 30,000 people there.
Since the beginning of the conflict, the distributor belonging to the Mulliez family group, which also includes Leroy Merlin or Decathlon, has been in the hot seat. It is about the image of the group. According to its critics, the sign would contribute to the Russian state budget, and therefore to the war.
Auchan generates 10% of its global sales in Russia. Its prices are accessible to residents and help protect their purchasing power, argues the CEO. Yves Claude recently appointed head of Auchan Retail and Auchan France recalls that his group has suspended its investments in Russia and that its subsidiary, which includes more than 200 stores in town and online commerce, operates practically in autarky.
Like other groups, Auchan argues that a withdrawal would expose its local leaders to lawsuits and bail out Russian capital. Such a decision would be counterproductive, according to its CEO.
In response, Ukraine’s foreign minister on Sunday called for a boycott of Auchan stores. ” Apparently job losses in Russia are greater than deaths in Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba wrote on Twitter.
« If Auchan ignores the 139 Ukrainian children murdered during this month of Russian invasion, let’s ignore Auchan and all its products “, he added, calling for “ boycott » the Auchan, Leroy-Merlin and Decathlon stores, all owned by the Mulliez Family Association.
On Wednesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in a message to the French Parliament, had urged French companies established in Russia to stop supporting ” the war machine » Russian and to leave this country, citing Renault, Auchan and Leroy Merlin.