Russian marketplaces Ozon and Yandex Market have started importing goods without the permission of the brand’s owner, commonly known as a parallel import. The new mechanism approved by the Russian government in March of 2022, in the wake of Western sanctions and a mass exodus of foreign brands from the country’s market after Russia invaded Ukraine, is called to make sure Russia experiences no shortage of products it produces in insufficient quantities. Andrey Razbrodin, president of the Union of Textile and Light Industry Entrepreneurs, expressed confidence that the parallel import would help Russian businesses to return products of the best Western brands, including Nike and Adidas. “The sports segment is very wide: from knitwear to special clothes, jackets; different companies make them. Many orders were made in Russia and Uzbekistan, including those from large brands,” he said. “Let’s be honest, neither the United States nor Europe makes even parts of products sold under these brands. We know which companies fulfill the orders of Adidas, Decathlon – these are China, Bangladesh and so on. Since parallel imports are allowed in certain categories, this is more of a logistical issue. It will be adjusted, and brands will still be here in one form or another,” Razbrodin added.

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