To leave in Swedish: IKEA is selling off Russian enterprises

IKEA recently held meetings at which it announced the dismissal of some employees in Russia. The Swedish giant plans not only to reduce the number of employees who worked at the company's own factories, but also to start searching for those who want to purchase the plants themselves. Now the company owns four factories located in the Leningrad, Novgorod and Kirov regions.

Brand representatives admit that they do not find an opportunity to start selling again in the near future. Therefore, the company plans to close some of the warehouses for now. In the middle of summer, IKEA is going to launch online trading through a special website where goods stored in warehouses will be sold. 

At the same time, many Russian citizens have discovered that the manufactured goods have already begun to appear on sale on online platforms.

According to lawyers, such resale of goods of a brand that has actually ceased operations in the country is quite legal. At the same time, the company itself states that it is suspending import-export operations in Russia and Belarus for the time being. IKEA employees will be able to purchase goods now. 

Recall that the retailer warned about the temporary suspension of outlets in Russia in early March. The company explained its decision by logistical failures and a significant change in the terms of trade caused by sanctions. Employees were promised to keep their salaries until August.

On June 14, information about the meeting of the company's management with managers appeared in the telegram channel "Caution, news". It was reported that some employees offered to quit voluntarily, promising to pay wages by September and retaining insurance until the end of the year. The company also announced its readiness to provide people with the services of a psychologist. 

IKEA's complete withdrawal from Russia is not out of the question yet.

MEGA shopping centers owned by the company will continue to operate. The Russian branch of the Swedish corporation does not plan to start liquidation in the near future. The exchange and refund departments also started working in a six-day working week from June 1, 2022. The Customer Support Center is also still continuing its activities.