Nicolas Hieronymus confirms L’Oréal’s ongoing presence in Russia amid global scrutiny
The general manager of L’Oréal, Nicolas Hieronymus, stated that the French cosmetics group continues to operate in Russia. This stance appears within a broader context of international examination and reflects a measured approach to sustaining essential activities while evaluating geopolitical risk. The company presents its position as preserving continuity in critical operations rather than pursuing a full exit from the Russian market.
Hierarchy noted that a portion of the business remains active at a production site in Kaluga. This arrangement is described as vital for keeping production lines running for cosmetics and hygiene products, ensuring that salaries are disbursed and staff welfare is protected. The Kaluga facility is framed as a tangible link to ongoing employment and to local supply chains, even as international tensions and sanctions are in play. The statements suggest a strategy that emphasizes operational resilience and worker well-being within the Russian operation.
Industry coverage in April referenced L’Oréal JSC’s performance in Russia, drawing on data from the SPARK-Interfax database. The indicators show that revenue generated by the Russian segment, which includes brands such as Lancôme, Giorgio Armani, Yves Saint Laurent, Biotherm, Garnier, and Maybelline, stood at approximately 60.2 billion rubles in 2022. This represented a year-over-year rise of around 6 percent, following modest growth in 2021 and contrasting with 2020 when demand for beauty products was notably higher. The revenue snapshot underscores a continued demand for international cosmetic brands within Russia, even as global economic conditions and sanctions steer business decisions.
Earlier industry observations noted a noticeable uptick in consumer spending on cosmetics among Russians, a trend with implications for brand strategy and retail performance in the country. Available data point to a market environment where premium and mass-market beauty products coexist, attracting shoppers who value recognizable multinational brands alongside locally available options. This context helps explain why L’Oréal would retain a manufacturing footprint in Russia and maintain engagement with the market, balancing corporate risk with the objective of sustaining livelihoods for employees and preserving supply chain integrity in a geopolitically challenging landscape.
Where the company stands today reflects a careful calculus: keeping essential operations intact to support employees and local suppliers while continuing to monitor international developments and sanctions. The Kaluga site serves as a practical case in point, illustrating how a multinational consumer goods company can pursue continuity of production, safeguard jobs, and contribute to local economies within a restrictive external environment. In this light, L’Oréal’s approach appears to be anchored in resilience, responsibility, and the practical realities of global business operations in a tense geopolitical era. Attribution for personnel and economic data follows public industry reporting from SPARK-Interfax and related market observations.