Due to the ongoing invasion between Russia and Ukraine, many private companies are suspending sales in Russia. Students at West High use and buy many of the products that are now suspended in Russia.
There are several private retail companies that are cutting ties with Russia. Some of these include sportswear companies such as Nike, Adidas, and Puma. Many students who compete in a sport wear clothes from these companies. Adidas has cut their partnership with the Russian Football Union, and Nike has suspended online sales in Russia, saying they cannot guarantee delivery in the increasingly isolated country. Puma has also stopped delivering new supplies to Russian stores, even though there are reports that 100 stores within the country remain open.
Other retail stores that are suspending sales with Russia are H&M, IKEA, UPS, and FedEx. H&M is the second largest clothing retailer in the world, and many undergraduates at West High may get their clothes from this retailer. Many people buy their furniture from IKEA stores. Furthermore, UPS and FedEx ship many of the products civilians buy online. H&M has said all sales in Russia will be temporarily suspended. IKEA announced that they will be closing 17 Russian stores, and has placed a $22 million investment to help those displaced by the invasion. UPS and FedEx have paused delivery service in Russia.
Visa and Mastercard have both blocked financial institutions in Russia after government sanctions dropped on Russian banks. Students who work most likely get paid through Visa or Mastercard.
Numerous students use technology in their everyday lives. Some of the companies who make technology that teens use are no longer selling in Russia. Some of these include Google, Apple, Dell Technologies, and Microsoft. Google has suspended advertisements, Apple has stopped selling devices, as well as Dell Technologies, and Microsoft is suspending, “new sales.”
Social media companies are also taking the initiative to cut ties with Russia. Facebook and TikTok have restricted access and are demoting content from Russian state-controlled media outlets. Spotify declared they are closing their offices in Russia, “indefinitely.” Snap has stopped all ads running in Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine and has stopped selling ads in those countries. YouTube has blocked channels operated by Russia Today and Sputnik across Europe.
Disney, Warner Bros, Universal, Paramount Pictures, and Sony have suspended the release of new movies in Russia. Netflix has also stopped their streaming platform in Russia.
Shell, BP, and Exxonmobil have all announced plans to leave Russia. Vehicles such as Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen Group, Mitsubishi, Harley-Davidson, Ford, Toyota, Jaguar, Land Rover, Aston Martin, BMW, Mazda, Honda, Boeing, and Airbus have all announced plans to suspend or have already suspended further sales in Russia.