// M&S’ 48 franchise stores remain open in Russia
// The retailer is unable to close the stores, which are run by franchisee FiBA, however M&S has stopped supplying them with product
Marks and Spencer still has 48 stores open in Russia, with the retailer unable to close the shops due to its franchise agreement.
The shops are operated by a Turkish company FiBA, which has the right to use the M&S name and sell its products, although M&S has stopped supplying the company producs as a response to the ongoing war.
M&S is unable to force the store closures without legal consequences.
READ MORE:
- M&S, Asos and Lush pledge to offer jobs to Ukrainians fleeing Russia
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- Russian sanctions: UK bans luxury exports and hikes import tariffs
M&S told the BBC it was “absolutely committed” to the humanitarian cause in Ukraine and has pledged to offer Ukrainian refugee jobs.
It is also raising funds for Ukrainian civilians in its stores, with shoppers prompted at the checkout to donate to Unicef UK.
Marks and Spencer head of partnerships Jo Daniels revealed last week that it’s total donations had reached £2.6 million after customers donated £1.1 million.
More than 30,000 customers had switched Unicef UK to their chosen Sparks charity, meaning every donation made in-store, online and via the app would be doubled by M&S.
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