After Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, Leroy Merlin, a unit of France’s Adeo Group, closed its six home-improvement superstores in Ukraine. In Russia, it sent a letter to suppliers touting new opportunities to expand market share as Western sanctions drove other foreign retailers from the country.
Leroy Merlin’s Ukrainian staff initially tried to work through their call center and website, supplying the military, emergency services and volunteers with bags, sand, shovels and other items needed to build bomb shelters and roadblocks. They also used the corporate email and messaging services to draw their colleagues’ attention to Ukraine’s plight—and to protest continuing operations in Russia, where Leroy Merlin is one of the leading multinationals by sales.
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