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Gerhard Schröder visited Moscow and met employees of the Globus hypermarket chain after becoming head of the supervisory board of Giperglobus LLC. RBC reported that he gave a welcome address and then spoke with employees behind closed doors; a visit to a Globus store was also on his itinerary.
Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder has visited Moscow and met employees of Globus, the foreign-owned hypermarket chain that continues operating in Russia. The visit follows his appointment as head of the supervisory board of Giperglobus LLC, the company’s Russian entity, and comes as foreign retailers in Russia face heightened scrutiny over their ownership and operations.
Russian business outlet RBC reported that Schröder delivered a welcome address to Globus employees before leaving to speak with them behind closed doors. The report did not describe what was discussed. His itinerary also included a visit to one of the chain’s hypermarkets, though the available account did not confirm whether that visit had taken place.
Schröder’s appointment to the supervisory board of Giperglobus LLC became public in early October. The company’s owner, Thomas Bruch, said Schröder was appointed because of his experience in Russian politics and business. The source report identifies Schröder as the board’s head; it does not provide further detail on his specific responsibilities or the terms of his appointment.
Globus is among the relatively small number of foreign retailers that have continued operating in Russia since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The chain has more than 20 stores across eight Russian regions and retains German shareholders, according to the report. Its continued presence makes Schröder’s new role and Moscow visit relevant to questions about the position of foreign businesses still active in the country.
Schröder’s Role at a Continuing Retailer
The development links a former German leader’s long-running ties to Russia with a major retail business that remains active there. Schröder is not being reported as a German government representative: the confirmed role is at Giperglobus LLC, and Bruch’s explanation for the appointment was Schröder’s experience in Russian politics and business.
The visit also takes place amid changes to the operating environment for foreign companies. Russian President Vladimir Putin placed assets of several other foreign retailers under temporary management in September, according to the source report. That move involved Metro Cash & Carry, Auchan and Lemana PRO, as well as Nestlé Russia. It does not establish that Globus faces the same action, but it underscores why the ownership and future of foreign businesses in Russia are being watched.
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Globus Amid Shifting Retail Ownership
Globus has continued trading in Russia since the invasion of Ukraine began, despite the departure or restructuring of many international businesses. The chain’s Russian operation has more than 20 hypermarkets in eight regions, and German shareholders remain involved, according to the report.
Schröder has traveled to Russia several times since the invasion and has met President Vladimir Putin, Meduza reported. His appointment to the Globus entity’s supervisory board is therefore part of an existing record of engagement with Russia, while the current visit is specifically reported as a meeting with company employees and a planned store visit.
The comparison with other retailers is limited: Putin’s September decision placed specified companies’ assets under temporary management by Russian companies. The source does not say that Globus’s assets were included in that decision or that the company’s ownership has changed.
“Schröder was appointed because of his many years of experience in Russian politics and business.”
— Thomas Bruch, owner of Globus
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Meeting Details Remain Private
The available reporting does not say what Schröder discussed with employees, whether he made any comments about the company’s future in Russia, or whether his planned hypermarket visit was completed. It also provides no detail on the scope of his supervisory-board duties, how the appointment will affect Globus’s operations, or whether the company faces any change in ownership or management. The reported measures affecting other foreign businesses do not, on their own, show that similar action is planned for Globus.
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Globus’s Next Corporate Steps
The immediate next details to watch are whether Schröder completes the planned store visit and whether he, Globus or Giperglobus LLC releases further information about the employee meeting or his board responsibilities. The source report gives no timetable for additional announcements. Any future change to Globus’s operations or ownership remains unconfirmed.
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Key Questions
Why was Gerhard Schröder in Moscow?
He visited Moscow, met Globus employees and had a visit to one of the chain’s hypermarkets on his itinerary. The visit followed his appointment as head of the supervisory board of Giperglobus LLC.
What happened at the meeting with Globus employees?
RBC reported that Schröder gave a welcome address and then spoke with employees behind closed doors. The discussion’s content has not been reported.
What is Schröder’s role at Globus?
He has joined the supervisory board of Giperglobus LLC, the company’s Russian entity, and is reported to head the board. The available account does not set out his specific duties.
Is Globus affected by Russia’s temporary management orders?
The source report does not say that Globus was included. It names Metro Cash & Carry, Auchan, Lemana PRO and Nestlé Russia as businesses whose assets were placed under temporary management.
Source: rss
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