How Western brands 'left' Russia | Life in Russia after sanctions | New McDonald's & Starbucks

Summary

The video script reveals a surprising reality behind the so-called 'exodus' of Western companies from Russia. Despite public announcements of withdrawal, many brands are still present in the Russian market, operating under different names or through legal loopholes. The script describes a journey through a Moscow shopping mall, showcasing how brands like Starbucks (now 'Star's Coffee') and McDonald's (renamed 'Tasty') continue to serve customers, and how companies like Reserved and LPP maintain a presence despite sanctions. The narrator also highlights the continued availability of products from companies like Apple and Coca-Cola, suggesting that while Western brands may publicly condemn the war in Ukraine, they are finding ways to stay profitable in Russia.

Takeaways

• 📉 Over 600 foreign brands have announced their withdrawal from Russia, including major names like McDonald's, Coca-Cola, and Starbucks.
• 🕵️‍♂️ Some companies are suspected of pretending to leave Russia while still making money through indirect means.
• 🏬 A French company that owns a cosmetics brand claimed to leave but is still present on the shelves, under a different name.
• 🎨 The new Russian Starbucks, rebranded as 'Stars Coffee', was bought by Russian entrepreneurs and retains a similar concept to the original.
• 👗 Polish clothing brand Reserved, owned by LPP, reopened in Russia under different names after being sold to a Chinese consortium.
• 📦 Despite public statements, some companies continue to supply products to the Russian market through legal loopholes or middlemen.
• 🍟 The new Russian McDonald's, now called 'Tasty', continues the fast-food chain's legacy with similar food offerings but without Coca-Cola products.
• 🥤 Coca-Cola HBC, partially owned by the Coca-Cola Company, started producing 'DobriPola' as an alternative to Coca-Cola in Russia.
• 👕 Western clothing brands like Adidas and Inditex (owner of Zara) have closed physical stores but continue to make money through online sales or indirect shipping.
• 📱 Apple has stopped direct sales in Russia but new iPhones, iPads, and MacBooks are still available through partner stores.
• 🛍️ Many Western brands have found ways to stay in the Russian market, suggesting that the 'exodus' may not be as significant as it seems.

Q & A

How many foreign brands have reportedly withdrawn from Russia?

More than 600 foreign brands have announced their withdrawal from Russia.

What is the new name of the Russian Starbucks after the withdrawal of the American brand?

The new name of Starbucks in Russia is Star's Coffee.

Who bought the Russian Starbucks chain after the American company left?

The Russian Starbucks chain was bought by Timothy, a famous Russian rapper, and Anton Pinsky, a well-known restaurateur.

What is the new logo of the Russian Starbucks like?

The new logo resembles the famous American mermaid but features a Russian girl in a traditional Russian headpiece.

Which French company that owns a cosmetics brand is mentioned in the script, and what happened to its presence in Russia?

L'Occitane, a French company, vowed to leave Russia in May but its products are still present on the shelves under a different name, Lexitan.

What happened to the Polish clothing brand Reserved in Russia after the sanctions?

Reserved was sold to a Chinese consortium, which reopened its shops under different names such as RE, CR House, XS, and Say Cuh Mojito.

How did Coca-Cola manage to leave Russia while still maintaining a presence in the market?

Coca-Cola stopped supplying coke to Russia, but its local bottler, Coca-Cola HBC, started producing Dobripola, an equivalent of the iconic soft drink.

What is the new name of the Russian McDonald's after the American brand left?

The new name of the Russian McDonald's is Tastee.

What did the new Russian McDonald's change on the menu besides the name?

The new Russian McDonald's changed the names of the items on the menu, such as renaming the Big Mac to Grand Deluxe, and removed Coca-Cola and Pepsi products.

Which Western brands are still operating in Russia despite the sanctions?

Some Western brands like Adidas, Apple, and several clothing brands including New Yorker, Collins, and Benetton continue to operate in Russia either directly or indirectly.

What is the situation with Apple products in Russia after the company halted sales?

New Apple products like iPhones, iPads, and MacBooks continue to flow to the Russian market through partner stores despite the sanctions.

How do some of the brands maintain their presence in Russia while publicly announcing their exit?

Some brands maintain their presence by selling their Russian operations to local businesses or through indirect shipping methods, allowing them to continue making money in the market.