More than half of Russians want Western brands that have left Russia to return

A majority of Russian citizens (56%) have expressed a desire to see the return of Western brands that left the market after the start of the full-scale war in 2022. 

This is reported by the Russian publication Vedomosti, citing the results of a survey by the research association “Group 7/89,” conducted in February–March 2026. The highest demand for the return of foreign companies is observed among young people aged 18 to 29, where this figure reaches 84%.

According to the study, Russians most want the return of automobile manufacturers (41%), content in the film, music, and gaming sectors (28%), and software developers (27%). There is also a noticeable shortage of Western furniture, building materials (25%), food products (23%), and cosmetics (22%). At the same time, among respondents over 60 years old, only 38% support the return of these brands, while 27% of those surveyed overall oppose their entry into the market.

Residents of large cities in the Russian Federation most often express a need for Western goods, while 17% of survey participants were undecided. Despite attempts at import substitution, a significant portion of the population continues to prefer international brands that ceased operations due to Russia’s aggression. The return of the familiar product range remains one of consumers’ key expectations five years after the mass withdrawal of foreign businesses.