Starbucks has announced it will completely exit Russia after earlier suspending its business activity in the country over the Ukraine invasion.
After 15 years on the Russian market, Starbucks will permanently shutter its 130 stores in Russia and no longer have a brand presence in the country, according to a May 23 memo to employees.
The coffee giant said it would keep paying its employees in Russia for six months and help them find work elsewhere.
Shortly after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Starbucks said that it would suspend its Russian operations.
“We continue to watch the tragic events unfold and, today, we have decided to suspend all business activity in Russia, including shipment of all Starbucks products,” wrote then-CEO Kevin Johnson in a March 8 memo….