Cosmetics company Avon under fire over Russia links

A cosmetics giant has come under fire for continuing to do business in Russia despite the war with Ukraine.

Avon, which has its UK headquarters in Northampton, is known for its door-to-door sales people. In recent years, it's focussed more on opening shops and sales on social media.

It previously said it would stop investment and suspend exports of its products from Russia, but it is still working with sales representatives in the country.

The beauty brand said it is continuing its business there to support women "whose livelihoods depend on their Avon business".

It said: "Avon continues to provide its representatives with the means to sustain their financial independence and is supplying their social selling businesses.

"We see this as critical support for women whose livelihoods depend on their Avon business and believe that restricting their access to selling products would have an outsize impact on women and children."

It added: "For over 135 years, Avon has stood for women wherever they are in the world, regardless of ethnicity, nationality, age or religion."

The company has a plant in Naro-Fominsk, in the Moscow area. But it said the products made there are only for the Russia market.

In a YouTube video published on Avon Russia's account, it celebrated the business' 30-year anniversary in the country.

Managers talked about awards ceremonies, training in social media, how to improve sales, and trips abroad for its top sellers.

Parent company Natura & Co previously said there is "no financial advantage" to being in Russia.

Avon moved its headquarters to the UK in 2016 and announced in November that it would open stores in the UK for the first time. It also began selling its products in Superdrug stores late last year.

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