The Benetton Group is not leaving Russia
Many multinational fashion companies left Russia after the large-scale invasion of Ukraine so as not to see their brand associated with the blood shed by Ukrainian citizens. Let's talk about giants like Zara o H&M (but the list is long) who in a short time sold and dismantled their assets in the aggressor country. And, look what a surprise... they didn't go bankrupt!
Benetton, on the other hand, is keeping active in general silence his numerous activities in Russia.
Benetton in Russia, when silence is worth a thousand words
apparently Benetton has decided to be part of that large group of companies that still maintain their activities in Russia and increase the Kremlin's tax revenues
Very little information from Benetton, only a meager statement at the beginning of the war in which they confirmed that they did not agree with the situation and that they would pause new investments on the Russian market, but that the activities would still continue. There is (obviously) also mention of the donation of the budget for investments in Russia to the Red Cross, but no other details. The classic move to clear the conscience already implemented by Ferrero e Barilla.
For the rest, the classic total void of information, not even in the Benetton Group institutional part of the website is there a shred of press release regarding their vision on this war and how it influenced their business. It makes you think that perhaps they are at least a little ashamed. Anything could be, but the fact remains that Benetton has not withdrawn and both production and the chain of its stores on Russian soil remain active.
Silence on the issue denotes a lack of sensitivity to geopolitical and humanitarian issues on the part of the Benetton Group. On one side of history there are peaceful Ukrainian cities gutted by bombings and hundreds of war crimes that have forever marked a generation, that of Ukrainians, who will never forget the violence they had to suffer. On the other, a gang of mass murderers isolated from the free and democratic world. It doesn't seem difficult to choose which side to be on, but apparently Benetton has decided to be part of that large group of companies that still maintain their activities in Russia and increase the Kremlin's tax revenues.
Benetton supports work in Russia!
By not supporting Russian economic isolation, Benetton (but also all the other companies still working in Russia) is frustrating our efforts, making even our small everyday sacrifices useless. Thank you very much
Maintaining the jobs of their Russian employees is one of the reasons most commonly cited by foreign companies operating on Kremlin soil. We certainly cannot leave good Russian employees without work, they are innocent and have nothing to do with this war. This justification is leaky on all sides, we must remember that the consensus around the international criminal putin it's not invented, may be amplified by electoral fraud and violence against dissidents, but the strong support of Russian civil society for the dictator-aspiring tsar has never been in doubt. This action simply does not help poor people to survive, but only attenuates the potential of international sanctions against the Russian economy. Sanctions that we are all paying in our daily expenses in order to help Ukraine put the aggressor back in his place (i.e. outside Ukrainian borders).
By not supporting Russian economic isolation, Benetton (but also all the other companies still working in Russia) is frustrating our efforts, making even our small everyday sacrifices useless. Thank you very much.
Benetton Russia: the website is a sign of the company's will
If you want to have a more complete vision of what Benetton is doing in Russia, simply access the Russian version of its website, always updated with the latest news, the possibility of purchasing online and the link for new hires in its Russian workforce. It is clear that there is no desire to give up or at least reduce the activity. For the record, at the time of writing this article there are 46 jobs available in Russia at Benetton. A nice way to openly stand in support of the infamous war putin.
Boycott Benetton?
Only we can answer this question with our conscience. This is an important topic, We Western consumers have vast economic power of choice and we must direct our money towards companies that have the same values as us, to demonstrate that ethics and morals are not secondary aspects and that turnover is not everything in life. Our shopping centers are full of alternatives, but we are sure that those who are sensitive to this issue will have already made their choices.
