Russian workers at a Renault factory in Moscow
(Picture: AFP/Getty Images)Brits are ready to boycott firms if they continue operating in Russia, new polling has revealed.
Almost two-thirds of people are prepared to stop buying products and services if they uncover a link to Russia, according to a survey commissioned by consultancy Hanbury Strategy.
It comes as Swiss food business Nestlé and French car maker Renault became the latest businesses to join the corporate exodus from Russia.
Nestlé announced it was caving to pressure and suspending the sales of most products in Russia, covering everything from KitKat and Nesquik.
“As the war rages in Ukraine, our activities in Russia will focus on providing essential food, such as infant food and medical/hospital nutrition — not on making a profit,” Nestle said.
French carmaker Renault has also reversed its earlier decision to remain in the country and is shutting down operations at its Moscow plant. It is also “assessing the available options” for its stake in Russian car maker AVTOVAZ.
UK-based Reckitt Benckiser, which makes Durex condoms and Dettol, said in a statement overnight it was “working intensely to evaluate a range of further options, the detail of which we cannot go into now.” It has suspended advertising in Russia but continues to sell products.
Chinese carmaker Geely has paused operations at its base in Belarus and is reviewing the risks of continuing to trade in Russia.
Hanbury’s polling found 6 in 10 Brits want companies to cease trading in Russia altogether, while about 4 in 10 said companies should be making charitable donations to support the humanitarian crisis.
Most major businesses have either shut or paused operations in Russia in the month since the country invaded Ukraine. However, not all have. Unilever has suspended exports and imports to Russia but continues to supply essential products.
