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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Business
Jane Clinton and Sarah Butler

Ikea closes all stores and factories in Russia amid exodus of western firms

Russia IKEA Ukraine Apple Coca-Cola Expedia Jaguar Land Rover M&S
A shopper with his purchases push the trolley before he leaves the Ikea store in Moscow, Russia. Ikea is closing its stores and pausing all sourcing in Russia and Belarus from Friday.
A shopper with his purchases push the trolley before he leaves the Ikea store in Moscow, Russia. Ikea is closing its stores and pausing all sourcing in Russia and Belarus from Friday. Photograph: Konstantin Zavrazhin/Getty Images

Ikea has temporarily closed all stores and factories across Russia in a move affecting 15,000 workers, becoming the latest in a swathe of western firms to halt operations in the country since it invaded Ukraine.

The Swedish flatpack furniture company has mothballed its 17 outlets across Russia but said it would keep its Mega shopping centres open to allow access to essential retailers, such as food shops and pharmacies. The news prompted a rush of shoppers at the stores due to close.

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