L'Occitane closes its shops in Russia

The French cosmetics chain L'Occitane says it will close its Russian shops and website, days after defending its decision to continue trading, Report informs via BBC.

The firm said the move follows the "enormous human suffering and escalating military action in Ukraine".

L'Occitane told the BBC last week it was keeping its shops open to protect staff from potential "retaliation".

Some customers had criticised the company for its decision and called for a boycott of the brand.

Its products are sold at more than 3,085 retail outlets worldwide and had sales of €1.5 billion last year.

The cosmetics firm, which has spas and stores in Russian cities including Moscow and St Petersburg, originally said it could not take the "risk" of closing its shops.

But in a statement issued on Friday evening, L'Occitane said the decision to shut its Russian operation had been approved by the company's board of directors.

"Given the enormous human suffering being caused by escalating military action in Ukraine and to protect our employees worldwide from potential public aggression, we have decided to close our own stores and e-commerce websites in Russia," the statement said.

Hundreds of international brands, including L'Oreal and Estee Lauder, have already closed shops and ceased online sales in Russia, protesting the war in Ukraine.