RetailDetail EU
Europe - EN
  • België - NL
  • Belgique - FR
  • Nederland - NL
  • Europe - EN
  • Newsletter
  • Contact & Route
Members' area
  • Log in
  • Become a member
  • News
    • Food
    • Fashion
    • Home
    • Electronics
    • Beauty/Care
    • DIY/Garden
    • Leisure
    • General
  • Events
    • OVERVIEW EVENTS
    • EVENT PARTNERSHIPS
  • Advertising
    • PRINT ADVERTISING
    • ONLINE ADVERTISING
  • Members’ area
RetailDetail EU
Europe - EN
  • België - NL
  • Belgique - FR
  • Nederland - NL
  • Europe - EN
  • Newsletter
  • Contact & Route
  • News
    • Food
    • Fashion
    • Home
    • Electronics
    • Beauty/Care
    • DIY/Garden
    • Leisure
    • General
  • Events
    • OVERVIEW EVENTS
    • EVENT PARTNERSHIPS
  • Advertising
    • PRINT ADVERTISING
    • ONLINE ADVERTISING
  • Members’ area
Members' area
  • Log in
  • Become a member
thumb
Written by Pauline Neerman
In this article
  • Companies Decathlon
  • Topics Supply chain
  • Geography Eastern EuropeFrance
Share article
  • facebook
  • instagram
  • twitter
  • linkedin
  • email

Empty shelves force Decathlon to close in Russia

icon
Leisure28 June, 2022
Shutterstock.com

Decathlon really wanted to stay in Russia, despite the Western sanctions and boycotts. Now the sports retailer is having to change its mind: supply problems are so acute that the stores are forced to close (temporarily).

“For the ordinary Russians”

Unlike many big Western brands and retailers, Decathlon decided not to pull out of Russia when war broke out in Ukraine in March. On the contrary, its French owner, the Mulliez family, believes that now is the time to show up for “ordinary Russians” and the group’s 77,000 Russian employees. The French Mulliez family has been operating in Russia for over 20 years, also with its Auchan supermarket chain and Leroy Merlin DIY stores.

Not only do they feel it is their duty as discounters, but the Mulliez family also fears that the Russian government will nationalise the stores if they do not stay. Indeed, President Putin has threatened to nationalise Western assets rather quickly after the onset of the war and the subsequent sanctions.

Temporarily closed

Still, Decathlon today had to throw in the towel. The sports retailer imports almost all its products from abroad, which is no longer feasible. The supply problems have become so serious that the shelves are now virtually empty. As a result, the chain is now closing its sixty physical stores and its web shop.

Last weekend, some stores held sales with discounts of up to 70%, while others were already closed. In some stores, consumers can still return goods. However, the chain insists that this is a temporary closure. Russian Auchan and Leroy Merlin stores remain open.

More about... Leisure
See more
  • icon
    Leisure4 July, 2025
    King Jouet introduces separate concept for kidults

    French toy giant King Jouet is dedicating a separate store concept to the growing market of ‘kidults’, or adults interested in games and toys. The first King’Dultes is set to open later this month in Marseilles.

  • icon
    Leisure27 June, 2025
    Maxi Zoo is treading water despite 41 new stores

    Fressnapf, the German parent company of Maxi Zoo, achieved a revenue of 870 million euros in the first quarter of 2025. Both revenue and profit remained stable, despite numerous store openings.

  • icon
    Leisure16 June, 2025
    New logo is start of bigger transformation at Dreambaby

    Dreambaby, the Belgian retail chain for young parents and their babies, is launching a new logo and updated corporate identity. This autumn, the retailer will also open its first shop according to a revamped shop concept in Bruges.

Events
  • 17
    Sep
    CAPTAINS OF RETAIL 2025 – EDITION II
  • 25
    Sep
    RETAIL MARKETING DAY 2025
Most read
  • icon
    Food13 June, 2025
    “Carrefour seeks buyer for Italian branch”
  • icon
    General20 June, 2025
    Fashion and hospitality boost El Corte Inglés’ profits
  • icon
    General10 June, 2025
    Marks & Spencer resumes online orders after 46 days
  • icon
    Fashion11 June, 2025
    Pinko at a turning point: returns to profit this year
Follow RetailDetail
  • socialFacebook
  • socialTwitter
  • socialInstagram
  • sociallinkedIn
footer-logo
RetailDetail, the leading b2b-retailcommunity in the Benelux, keeps retail professionals up-to-date by means of online & offline publications, retail events, inspiring retail hunts and the unique co-creation platform The Loop, where retailers and their suppliers can experience the future of shopping.
Mailing Address
Kolveniersstraat 7, bus 26 2000 Antwerp
Visiting address
Stadsfeestzaal – Meir 78 2000 Antwerp
How to reach us:
Directions
© 2025 RetailDetail
general conditions | privacy policy
Contact us About us info@retaildetail.be
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Accept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT