The war continues, but so do the calls for a trade boycott. After companies like Apple or Disney announced that they would turn their back on Russia, the pressure on other brands has increased. Several consumers demanded an attitude from their favorite brands and the truth is that it had an effect. The list of companies that have already stood out from the invading country continues to grow – this time, between restaurant chains and luxury brands. However, there are still those who continue to operate normally on Russian territory.
McDonald’s and Coca-Cola customers have taken to social media to denounce the brands’ inertia in the face of the Russian invasion, and topics such as #BoycottMcDonalds and #BoycottCocaCola have even ended up trending on Twitter. “Stop drinking Coca-Cola. They refuse to exclude Russia. Let’s show them people power,” read one of the comments.
After the criticism, here is an attitude. McDonald’s, which opened its first restaurant in Moscow in 1990 (the USSR being officially dissolved at the end of 1991), announced on Tuesday March 8 that it would temporarily close all its establishments in Russia, in protest against the invasion of the ‘Ukraine. .
With the exception that none of the employees will be injured, the the company warrants that it continue to pay its 62,000 employees working on Russian territory, who “have dedicated their hearts and souls to the McDonald’s brand”. The Associated Press, quoted by SCS.
AT Communication sent to employees, currently available on the brand’s website, the company’s CEO, Chris Kempczinski, specifies that the company has “provided immediate financial support” to its workers in Ukraine, after the closure of 108 establishments in the country. “We continue to pay full salaries to our Ukrainian employees and have donated $5 million to our Employee Relief Fund,” he said, assuring that McDonald’s continues “to support the efforts of relief work carried out by the International Red Cross in the region”, says the newspaper. “Public”.
“Our values mean not being able to ignore the unnecessary human suffering that is taking place in Ukraine,” it read.
Coca-Cola, Starbucks and KFC stand out from Russia. Burger King remains silent
On the same day that McDonald’s takes a stand against Putin’s Russia, Coca-Cola and Starbucks follow the same path – this Tuesday 8, they publicly communicate the decision. “Our hearts go out to those who are suffering the inconsequential effects of this tragic event in Ukraine”reads the statement shared by Coca-Cola.
In this sense, the commercial boycott of Russia has many facets and there are even companies that, although they continue to operate on Russian soil, have also condemned (and sanctioned) the invasion. This is the case of KFC and Pizza Hut, both owned by the same owner, who have also announced the suspension of their future investments in Russia. They continue with the establishments opened in Russia, but there is an explanation.
All profits from some 1,000 Russian KFC establishments and some 50 Pizza Hut restaurants in the territory will be donated to humanitarian missions, advance to BBC.
However, within the universe of fast food chains, there are still brands that remain unsaid: as is the case of Burger King, which, to date, has in no way positioned itself , advances the newspaper »The Guardian“.
From Zara to Ferrari, meet some of the brands that have already taken a stand against Russia
Also the Spanish company Inditex, owner of brands such as Zara and Pull&Bear and leader in the clothing sector, announced this Saturday 5 that it was even going to “temporarily suspend” the activity of approximately 502 stores in Russia as well as on operational sites in Russian territory. .
“Given the current circumstances, Inditex cannot guarantee the continuity of operations and commercial conditions in the Russian Federation,” the group announced in a press release carried by the France-Presse news agency (AFP), Quoted by TSP.
In this sense, Ferrari has also taken the same decision, but goes further: after having already suspended all its commercial activities in Russia, the luxury company will even donate around 1 million euros to Ukraine.
“Ferrari stands with all those affected in Ukraine by this ongoing humanitarian crisis,” said Italian brand CEO Benedetto Vigna. “While awaiting the rapid outcome of the negotiations and a peaceful solution, we cannot remain indifferent to the suffering of all those affected. Our thoughts are with them. We are playing our small role alongside the institutions that provide immediate assistance to this situation,” he added.
These are some of the brands that have also turned their backs on Russia.
