Temporary manager of French supermarket chain Auchan and former Leroy Merlin retailer Lemana PRO calls for stores and staff to be retained, promises drone protection

L.E.V. Management, the firm overseeing the Russian operations of Auchan and Lemana PRO, has urged the respective companies to keep their store chains and staff in place. CEO Andrei Krayushkin, in a letter to Auchan, emphasized the importance of uninterrupted purchasing, deliveries, store operations, and meeting obligations to customers, suppliers, and employees.

The letter stated that Auchan LLC's stability is crucial for food security. Krayushkin also assured that measures to protect Auchan's properties, including against drone attacks, would be implemented. Any staffing decisions, should they be required, will be discussed with the current Auchan management. Auchan's Russian press office affirmed their readiness to maintain a working relationship with the temporary manager and promptly address any arising issues.

All facilities remain operational. On September 17, Russian President Putin signed a law granting L.E.V. Management temporary control over the Russian assets of Auchan, Nestle, Lemana PRO, and FM Logistic. L.E.V. Management, founded in October 2024 with a capital of 15,000 rubles, is headed by a Major General of Russia's Interior Ministry and former first deputy head of its migration directorate.

The Kremlin justified the move by citing the involvement of these companies in military operations against Russia. Meduza assures transparency in its use of AI in journalism, with this story written by a human journalist and translated using an AI model meeting strict editorial standards.