Long lines of Russian shoppers formed outside H&M stores in Moscow shopping centres this week when the Swedish fashion retailer reopened its doors to sell off stock before pulling out of Russia for good.
Along with a series of other western brands including Ikea, Nike, and the Zara owner, Inditex, H&M halted operations in Russia after the invasion of Ukraine on 24 February but opened its doors one last time this week to clear out remaining goods.
Exiting Russia, its sixth-biggest market, is costing the company 2bn Swedish kronor (almost £170m) and affecting 6,000 staff.
Long queues were seen outside H&M stores at Moscow’s Aviapark shopping centre, according to footage posted on Telegram by the news outlet Baza, and at the Metropolis mall.
“Well, it is closing, that’s why we are standing here,” one customer, Irina, told Reuters. “I’m going to buy whatever there is.”
Massive queues in Moscow as shoppers take last chance to shop at H&M
Retailer halted operations in Russia after invasion of Ukraine but has reopened for limited time to sell remaining stock
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