For the first time since the start of the war, no new foreign brands have opened in Russia — media reports

During the first five months of 2026, not a single new foreign brand entered the Russian market. This is the first time this has happened since the start of the full-scale war against Ukraine. 

This was reported by Russian media, citing data from the consulting firm CORE.XP.

For comparison:

• in 2022, 16 international brands began operating in Russia;
• in 2025 — only 9;
• in 2026 (January–May)—0 new entries.

At the same time, according to experts, at least 7 international brands have left the Russian market since the beginning of 2026, including Turkish and Kazakhstani companies.

Analysts note that even the companies that remain are opting for cautious business models—operating through marketplaces, local distributors, or niche markets instead of opening stores.

Experts cite several factors:

• a decline in consumer demand in Russia;
• a decline in the consumer confidence index to minus 12%;
• a decline in shopping center foot traffic (down 2% year-over-year and down 25–26% compared to 2019).

Additionally, the situation is influenced by:

• rising logistics costs;
• disruptions in the supply of goods;
• a 30–50% increase in delivery costs;
• a general cooling of investment interest.

According to analysts, Russian retailers are closing stores en masse due to falling sales. Consumers are tightening their belts and avoiding expensive purchases.

Surveys also show that the majority of citizens (82%) are experiencing economic anxiety and expect prices for food, clothing, and utilities to rise faster than incomes.

As a reminder, after international automakers exited the Russian market, the country began producing mostly outdated models of Chinese cars.

Recently, the Russian company “New Cloud Technologies,” known under the brand name “MyOffice,” announced large-scale staff cuts amid significant financial losses.

It is worth noting that the actual poverty rate in Russia may be significantly higher than official figures and could be approaching 40% of the population.