Starbucks joins Moscow exodus

STARBUCKS yesterday joined the exodus of Western firms from russia.

the US coffee giant said it would close all its 130 stores and end its russian presence. the move follows the departure of McDonald’s last week.

Starbucks, which had operated in russia since 2007, said it will continue to pay its nearly 2,000 russian employees for six months and help them find new jobs.

the Seattle-based firm had initially kept stores open but pledged to donate any profits to humanitarian efforts in ukraine.

but Starbucks made a u-turn on this decision following a backlash and temporarily closed its russian outlets in March.

McDonald’s is selling its 850 restaurants in russia to an existing russian franchisee. they will not be able to use the firm’s name, menu or branding.