World of Cubes By Reuters

By Alexander Marrow

MOSCOW (Reuters) -The multi-coloured toys piling up on the Russian store cabinets might look acquainted. However the vivid pink and yellow Lego retailer logos have gone, changed by Mir Kubikov, or World of Cubes.

Russian retail group IRG has unveiled plans for 65 new outlets throughout 20 cities, to exchange ones it used to run for Danish toy maker Lego, which exited the nation within the wake of the Kremlin’s invasion of Ukraine.

It isn’t the primary agency to toy with new names since a string of well-known Western manufacturers shut down their Russian operations over the battle.

Former McDonald’s Corp (NYSE:) eating places reopened as Vkusno & tochka, or ‘Tasty and that is it’, in June, whereas the brand new homeowners of Starbucks Corp (NASDAQ:) espresso outlets opted for Stars Espresso.

Lego stated in July it had terminated its contract with its franchisee IRG which owned and operated 81 shops on its behalf.

IRG (Ingenious Retail Group) stated on Thursday its new shops would promote official Lego bricks “bought by parallel imports and different suppliers” alongside different toys.

“The brand new chain will seem instead of licensed Lego outlets,” IRG stated in an announcement. “Lego will stay on the listing of manufacturers.”

Lego stated it was now not affiliated with IRG, had not shipped merchandise to Russia since March 2022 and doesn’t help or facilitate gross sales of Lego merchandise into Russia.

“We’ve got taken steps to extend visibility and management over any potential resale exercise by our current prospects exterior of Russia, together with including further clauses to retailers’ contracts,” Lego stated in an announcement on Friday.

Western manufacturers have left of their droves since Russia despatched troops into Ukraine on Feb. 24, in what Moscow calls its “particular navy operation”. Most of the companies have voiced opposition to Russia’s actions in Ukraine and others have pointed to extreme provide chain disruption.

World of Cubes outlets have already began opening, and the total chain could be up and working by the top of October, IRG stated.

Individually, the Kommersant every day on Friday reported that Dmitry Azarov, beforehand the bulk proprietor of UK cosmetics retailer Lush’s Russian shops, had launched one other firm, ‘Record’, and began making use of for emblems beneath the ‘Relish’ model for items together with cosmetics, soaps and lotions.

Lush stated it was conscious and wished Azarov properly together with his new enterprise.

“Lush will not be concerned,” a spokesperson stated.

Azarov didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.