Zara Returns to Russia Despite H&M’s Exit
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Zara Returns to Russia Via Rebranding and Imports
Table of Contents
Despite officially exiting the Russian market in 2022, clothing from Zara and other inditex brands is once again available in Russian stores through a complex network of imports and rebranding. This raises questions about the effectiveness of corporate withdrawals in response to geopolitical events.
The Re-emergence of Inditex Brands
Clothing labeled Zara, Bershka, Massimo Dutti, and Stradivarius are now being sold in Russia, despite Spanish fashion group Inditex’s official exit from the country in 2022 following the invasion of Ukraine. The products are available through the “Tvoe n Ko” retail chain, a rebranding of the previously known “Tvoe” stores.Initially launching in nine stores in September, the chain now offers the brands in 19 locations, according to its website.
“Tvoe n ko” actively promotes the items on social media as “rare,” indicating a limited and constantly updated supply. Photos circulating online show garments bearing original Inditex labels, many resembling designs from past seasons. in September, the company hinted at the return of these brands on Telegram, without providing details about the source of the merchandise.
The Role of Disco Club LLC and Import Declarations
While Inditex ceased operations in Russia shortly after the start of the war in Ukraine and sold its local business eight months later, evidence suggests a continued flow of goods. russian customs documents from September 2023 reveal that Disco Club LLC submitted 18 “declarations of conformity” for clothing imports,listing Inditex as the supplier. These declarations, while not import permits themselves, legally enable the trade of the goods.
The documents cover nearly all of Inditex’s major brands, suggesting a systematic effort to reintroduce the products into the Russian market. This raises questions about how the goods are being sourced and transported.
| brand | Number of Declarations (Sept 2023) |
|---|---|
| Zara | 6 |
| Bershka | 3 |
| Massimo Dutti | 3 |
| Stradivarius | 3 |
| Oysho | 3 |
Conflicting Statements and Denials
“Tvoe n Ko” claims that there are no direct deliveries from Inditex and that disco Club LLC only performed a “one-off maintenance” service. Though,Inditex vehemently denies authorizing Disco club LLC or any of its affiliates to act on its behalf. The company refuses to comment on the specific mechanisms by which its products are entering Russia,stating,”We are not present in the Russian market after the sale of our business.”
What Does This Mean for Corporate Obligation?
The reappearance of Zara and other Inditex brands in Russia raises vital questions about the effectiveness of