INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Casual wear giant Uniqlo will suspend operations in Russia, parent company Fast Retailing said Thursday, days after its president defended
staying open in the country following Moscow's invasion of Ukraine."Uniqlo has made everyday clothing available to the general public in
Russia too, as part of our mission," the Japanese firm said in a statement."However, we have recently faced a number of difficulties,
operations."The announcement came after Fast Retailing president Tadashi Yanai on Monday said the conflict should not deprive people in
Russia of clothing, defending an earlier decision to keep its stores in the country open even as rivals Zara and H-M suspended
operations."Clothing is a necessity of life
The people of Russia have the same right to live as we do," he said, in comments that prompted calls for a boycott.On Thursday, the firm
said it condemned "all forms of aggression that violate human rights and threaten the peaceful existence of individuals."It said its mission
and responsibility was to provide basic, affordable clothing "to all, including those affected by conflict, natural disasters and other
devastations," and noted it had donated $10 million to UNHCR along with clothes for refugees.
