The announcement comes after more than two years of shutdown following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine officially confirms the return to Ukraine of the brands Zara, Pull&Bear, Massimo Dutti, Bershka, Stradivarius, Oysho of Inditex, one of the world’s largest clothing retail groups and Zara Home, according to a statement posted on the Telegram social network.
The British publication “The Financial Times” (FT) announced earlier this month that some shops in Kyiv will open their doors in early April, however, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine did not specify specific dates in its announcement.
Inditex has said it plans to reopen 50 of its 84 stores in Ukraine, according to the FT. However, shops in the south and east of the country, close to the front line, will remain closed.
The Zara owner stopped operations in Russia shortly after full-scale war broke out, but has not ruled out a return should circumstances change.
“The return of large international companies to the Ukrainian market creates new jobs, provides an opportunity to purchase quality goods and services, and supports the Ukrainian economy,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine said in a statement on Friday.
The ministry said that it will continue to make efforts to allow large international companies to work in Ukraine.
Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said last October that returning to Ukraine big brands that closed their stores after the Russian invasion is “one of the goals of Ukrainian diplomacy” and “one of the most awaited decisions by Ukrainians.”
Other major retailers that have suspended operations in Ukraine due to the war but have reopened include US fast-food chain McDonald’s, Danish jewelry maker Pandora and French cosmetics company Yves Rocher.
The Swedish clothing retail chain H&M reopened its stores in Ukraine in November 2023.
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2024-04-15 19:43:40