Image Source: Visual China

BEIJING, March 14 (TMTPOST) — Japanese fast-fashion chain Uniqlo announced that it will temporarily suspend its 50 brick-and-mortar outlets in Russia.

It is worth noting that Tadashi Yanai, CEO of Uniqlo’s parent company Fast Retailing, said previously that Uniqlo would not shut down its operation in Russia.

"Clothing is a necessity of life," he told Nikkei, explaining the decision. "The people of Russia have the same right to live as we do."

See also: Zara, H&M Shut Down Outlets in Russia While Uniqlo Defends its Decision to Stay

“While continuing our Uniqlo business in Russia, it has become clear to us that we can no longer proceed due to a number of difficulties,” Fast Retailing said in the statement, explaining its decision to suspend operation in the country. In the statement, Fast Retailing also mentioned that it made a donation of US$10 million and clothing through its global partnership with UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) to civilians impacted by the war between Ukraine and Russia.

The Japanese fast-fashion chain drew heavy criticism for its decision to keep its shops open in Russia as brands such as H&M and Zara had shut down their business operation in the country in protest of the war. Many have said on Twitter that they will not buy any product from Uniqlo unless it “stops supporting Russia” and reconsider its business operation in the country. It appears the criticism online had changed Uniqlo’s mind.

H&M, the world’s second-biggest retailer, had announced in early March that it would temporarily shut down its operation due to concerns with the recent developments in Ukraine. H&M had also suspended online purchases on its Russian English-language website. Russia is H&M’s sixth biggest market, accounting for about 4% of sales in the fourth quarter of 2021, according to recent figures from the company.