Russian companies have filled the market gap created by the exit of Western companies. Many products are remarkably reminiscent of Westerners.
14.6. 07:38 • Updated June 14th. 10:48
In a way, the day was symbolic.
Russia Day was celebrated in Russia on June 12. On the same day, 14 Russian-owned burger restaurants erupted across Moscow. By the end of June, more than 200 restaurants are scheduled to open.
Govor said that the fast food chain plans to replace (switch to another service) an American Coca-Cola drink when current stocks run out. Coca-Cola has been replaced by, for example, Pepsi and Russian Chernogolovka lemonade.
Russian news agency Rian (you switch to another service) according to the opinion of the chain of burgers divided. Some thought the taste of the steak had changed. Others thought the burgers recipe was exactly the same as in McDonald’s classic burgers.
After the Westerners left, a vacuum was left, which was filled by Russian brands
When Russia launched hostilities in Ukraine at the end of February, many Western-owned companies left Russia.
For example, Swedish furniture giant Ikea announced it would quit in March.
Spanish-owned Inditex, whose clothing brands are Zara and Bershka, announced the closure of all 502 of its stores.
However, the shopping centers were not empty for a long time. Vacancy brands began to be filled by Russian-owned clothing brands.
So Zarina, owned by Inditex, was replaced by Zarina, Bershka was replaced by Befree and Stradivarius was replaced by Sela.
All three are clothing brands owned by the Russian company Melon Fashion Group. 30 percent of the company’s shares are owned by a Swedish investment company.
The entire Russian clothing industry experienced a renaissance as Western rivals rallied.
In particular, cheap fast fashion chains such as H&M were quickly replaced by Russian, Turkish and Chinese brands.
Many Western companies announced that they would also suspend their online sales in Russia. The Russian online store Wildberries started selling Inditex brands on its platform in June. According to the company, the brands sold on its website are genuine, he says Tass (switch to another service).
Chinese copies of Ikea in Sweden
The departure of the Danish Jyski and the Swedish Ikea was a shock to many Russians. It has been difficult for Russian furniture companies to compete with the Swedish company because Ikea is known for its quality in Russia.
In addition, the Swedish brand represents the Scandinavian style admired by many, which is especially popular with middle-class city dwellers.
Ikea’s facilities in Russia have been closed for a month now, but the Russians’ feelings about Scandinavian interior design have not cooled.
Leading designer of the Russian-owned furniture company Tvoi Dom Alla Zorina said in April (moving to another service)that after Ikea’s departure, sales of gray and beige beds and armchairs momentarily bounced over 70 percent.
Russia withdrew from international copyright treaties shortly after the start of the war in Ukraine.
Prime minister Mikhail Mišustin signed on 30 March setting (switch to another service)according to which parallel products of foreign branded products may be imported without the consent of the copyright holder.
Although the government has emphasized that it is not a matter of legalizing the import of counterfeit goods, many companies have closed the loophole in the regulation.
In practice, the regulation has blessed companies to import slightly modified cheap copies from China and sell them to Russian consumers under their own brand.
When Western companies left, many Russians also began ordering cheap copies of products directly from China. In particular, the Chinese AliExpress has long been popular due to its low price, but as a result of currency fluctuations, the Chinese company product prices (you switch to another service) have risen.
Russia has recently increasingly relied on China. For example, the Chinese car industry is planning to ease the Russian car shortage.
Technology in cooperation with Belarus
On Monday, the Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Borisov reported that Russia and Belarus have agreed to cooperate in the field of technology.
The cooperation is intended to replace Western microchips and other high-tech components that are in short supply in Russia.
The peak in demand for technical equipment was already visible in Russia in March and continued in April.
When the European Union was just planning sanctions, the Russians rushed to the trades. In March and April, especially expensive Kitchen Appliances were sold, but also refrigerators, freezers, washing machines, ovens and televisions.
Although Russia has succeeded in replacing many Western products, there has been no production of some products in Russia at all. For example, induction cookers, dishwashers, microwave ovens, coffee makers are devices that are not produced in Russia.
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