French retailer Auchan does not plan to change its strategy in Russia or the structure of its local operations, the Russian branch of the privately owned company told Reuters in emailed comments.
Auchan Russia was responding to a request for a comment after a local media report suggested it may cede control of its domestic operations to a third party.
Auchan, which has about 30,000 staff, 231 stores and an online business in Russia, is a rare example of a Western company continuing to operate in the country after Moscow sent troops into Ukraine on February 24.
In late March, Auchan said it planned to maintain its presence in Russia, prompting Ukraine to call for a boycott of the chain as global names from McDonald's to Renault to Nike leave the country.
'Quality Products At Affordable Prices'
"The main mission of Auchan Retail Russia is to provide the population with quality products at affordable prices. As of now, Auchan does not plan any changes to its strategy or in the organisation of the company as a whole," Auchan Russia said in its emailed reply on Wednesday.
Before the Ukraine conflict started, Auchan was planning to spend more than 20 billion roubles (€318 million) on developing digital services in Russia by 2024 to boost online sales in the face of increased competition from rivals.
In an interview in March, Auchan's chief executive Yves Claude said he feared the company risked losing assets or exposing local managers to potential legal troubles if it pulled out of Russia.
"The most important in our eyes is to maintain our employees and ensure our primary mission, which is to continue feeding the populations of these two countries," Claude said at the time.
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