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Amazon, H&M, Ikea halt Russia business channels

Photo by istock.com

March 9, 2022

Amazon, H&M and Ikea are the latest retailers to halt, suspend or change up business operations in Russia in light of Russia's war on Ukraine.

Amazon's Web Services is stopping signups for customers in both countries, according to a CNN report on companies changing up business operations.

"AWS has clear terms of service where if a customer is using AWS services to threaten, incite, promote or actively encourage violence, terrorism or other serious harm, they will not be permitted to use our services," Amazon said in a blog post. "Any customer we know of who is participating in this type of behavior will have their access to AWS suspended."

H&M had already closed stores in the Ukraine due to safety, and is temporarily halting all sales in Russia and in a statement said it was "deeply concerned about the tragic developments in Ukraine, and stands with all the people who are suffering." The retailer has 168 stores in Russia.

Ikea has closed its 17 stores in Russia and will continue to pay the 15,000 employees. It's also temporarily shuttering manufacturing in Russia as well as suspending trade with Belarus, a Russia ally.