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Russian-linked discount chain expands to Poland, sparking controversy

27.02.2025 14:40
A new discount store chain linked to a sanctioned Russian oligarch has opened in two Polish cities, raising concerns about Moscow's influence in the country’s retail sector.
A Russian-linked discount chain has expanded into Poland, opening stores in two cities, prompting scrutiny over its ties to a sanctioned oligarch and potential influence in the local economy.
A Russian-linked discount chain has expanded into Poland, opening stores in two cities, prompting scrutiny over its ties to a sanctioned oligarch and potential influence in the local economy. Photo: Liviu Florescu/Unsplash.com/CC0

New Tak-Tu discount stores have appeared in Łomża and Białystok, cities in northeastern Poland, offering products similar to those found in Russia’s Myprice chain, according to Wiadomości Handlowe.

The stores are operated by Rightstore, a company led by Viktor Lipin, a Lithuanian businessman tied to Russian oligarch Sergei Schneider.

Schneider, whose wealth is estimated at $1.4 billion, has been sanctioned by Ukraine for his alleged role in business activities benefiting the Russian state.

Poland’s Ministry of Development and Technology has announced an investigation into the chain, emphasizing the need to curb Russian oligarchs’ economic influence in the country and the EU.

The controversy is further fueled by the fact that Schneider previously attempted to enter the Polish market with the Mere discount chain, which shut down after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Additionally, Wiadomości Handlowe reports that hundreds of Schneider-owned stores have been closed in other countries due to legal and sanitary violations.

The launch of Tak-Tu raises broader concerns about the potential return of Russian business interests to Poland’s retail sector.

Dopiero co ujawniliśmy na portalu wiadomoscihandlowe.pl, że rosyjska sieć sklepów Mere wznowiła działalność w Polsce,...

Opublikowany przez Wiadomości Handlowe Środa, 26 lutego 2025

A discount chain linked to a Russian oligarch has opened in the northeastern Polish cities of Łomża and Białystok, raising concerns about potential Russian influence in the country’s retail sector. Below is a map showing their locations. 


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Source: shorturl.at/XpXUl