The questionable actions of Leroy Merlin in Russia
In a striking investigation published this week, L’Express reveals the actions of Leroy Merlin, a subsidiary of the Mulliez Group, in Russia.
Leroy Merlin’s history in the country is one of rapid expansion: present since 2004, the company surpassed 110 stores and €5 billion in revenue by 2021. This growth seemingly led Adeo, the parent group, to align itself with the Russian regime on several occasions, particularly in the context of the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.
Two years after Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea, Leroy Merlin supplied equipment and spare parts to Gamma, a state-owned “strategic” enterprise working closely with the FSB (Russian intelligence services). Among other things, the company provided jamming and surveillance systems and safeguarded state secrets. In 2017, Leroy Merlin was also the only company to respond to a tender from the Russian Ministry of Defense.
When Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022, while many Western companies made the bold decision to leave the Russian market, Leroy Merlin chose to stay—officially to support its Russian employees who, they claimed, should not suffer from a war they “did not choose.” At the same time, Leroy Merlin blocked its Ukrainian employees from voicing opposition to this decision by cutting their access to the company’s social media platforms.
The Mulliez Group seems to have prioritized profits over ethics and honor.
Beyond Leroy Merlin, two other Mulliez brands also continue to operate in Russia.
In February 2023, Le Monde revealed that Auchan had provided free goods to Vladimir Putin’s army. More recently, Disclose uncovered a “secret project” by Decathlon to discreetly sell its products in Russia despite announcing its withdrawal from the country.
Stand With Ukraine will continue to expose these unscrupulous practices, which tarnish France’s reputation and fuel the Russian war machine—one that threatens not only Ukraine but the security of all Europe.
