Mere supermarket chain closes Slovak stores due to sanctions

The Russian supermarket chain Mere has shuttered its operations in Slovakia, leaving employees without wages. The sudden closure of stores in Banská Bystrica, Nové Zámky, and Prievidza followed the European Union's decision to include co-owner Sergei Schnaider on its sanctions list.

Sanctions against Schnaider have frozen the company's accounts, preventing the payment of salaries, rent, and supplier invoices. While the stores initially cited technical reasons for their closure, staff and company communications indicate that the business is waiting for ministerial decisions regarding the sanctions. Although employees have not yet received formal termination notices, the stores are not expected to reopen.