// Russian Standard vodka has been taken off sale at Co-op and Morrisons stores
// Co-op said that because Russian Standard is ‘overtly Russian’ and produced in the country they will no longer stock it online or in stores.
Co-op and Morrisons have both removed Russian vodka from their shelves for the ‘foreseeable future’ in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Russian Standard vodka has been taken off sale “with immediate effect” as the brand is “overtly marketed as being Russian” and is produced in the country, a Co-op spokesman said.
One of the best-selling vodkas in the country, Russian Standard is distilled in St Petersburg and was brought to the UK market in 1998. The drink had been on sale at the Co-op for £14 for a 70cl bottle, but has already been removed from the retailer’s website and will no longer appear on its shelves.
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“In response to the ongoing invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces and as a sign of solidarity with the people of Ukraine, we have taken the decision to remove from sale Russian-made vodka,” the spokesman added.
“Russian Standard has been taken off sale with immediate effect because it is overtly marketed as being Russian and produced there. It will not be stocked for the foreseeable future.”
“Our thoughts are with the people of Ukraine, and those in Russia who oppose this invasion.”
Instead, a Polish distilled alternative will be sold in its stores in its place while a spokesperson for Morrisons said it had also de-listed Russian Standard.
Customers will also be able to support the humanitarian response by donating to the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) appeal at all 2,600 o-op stores across the country. Co-op will be match funding customers’ donations up to the value of £100,000.
British and international retailers have continued to remove their products from Russia while halting sales as the world protests the country’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, with the country already losing £100 billion of trade.
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