Major brands and supermarkets are leaving Ukraine
Ukraine is seeing a wave of mass store closures—ranging from international brands to large local chains. The reasons vary, but they all boil down to falling demand, complex logistics, and changes in corporate strategies. The retail market is rapidly restructuring, and some players simply cannot withstand the new conditions. This is discussed in a publication by the Ukrainian Retailers Association.
Ukrainian retail is entering a period of significant contraction, as stores are shutting down one after another and major brands are reevaluating their presence in the country, leaving behind empty retail spaces and a changed market landscape.
The Ukrainian Retailers Association explains that the situation has sharply deteriorated in recent months due to a decline in purchasing power, logistics issues, and a reassessment of business models by international companies seeking more stable or profitable markets.
The RAU report notes that the spring of 2026 marked a period of a series of exits by major players. Among them is the closure of Reebok’s licensed stores in Ukraine, which are shutting down their last retail locations in Kyiv, specifically at the Retroville and SkyMall shopping centers. The decision is attributed to global network optimization and a review of the company’s presence in markets characterized by high risks and low margins.
Other players are also leaving the market. The Turkish holding company FLO Retailing previously closed its last InStreet store, and the multi-brand chain SuperStep is shutting down all six of its stores in the country. Representatives of Eren Retail Group attribute this to a strategic review of distribution channels and a global business transformation.
Separately, the Koton brand has announced its decision to reduce its presence and close its stores in Ukraine after eight years of operation. Meanwhile, the most notable move was the complete shutdown of the Lviv-based “Arsen” supermarket chain, which had been operating in the market for 24 years. The company, along with its affiliated chains “Fresh,” “Soyuz,” and “Kvartal,” is effectively exiting the retail business.
The Retail Association emphasizes that formats dependent on emotional and impulse purchases are currently suffering the most. These are the ones that react most quickly to declining household incomes and changes in consumer behavior.
It is also reported that the Usupso and O!Some chains are closing down completely in Ukraine. The reasons cited include falling sales, loss of profitability, and intensifying competition, which forced the companies to reconsider the viability of operating in the market.
In fact, the retail market is entering a consolidation phase, with some brands leaving the country and those remaining forced to change their business models to adapt to new economic realities.
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