Endeavour Group & Coles to remove Russian products

Endeavour Group will remove products made in Russia from its shelves at Dan Murphy's and BWS and from the bars at ALH Hotels, this includes Russian Standard, Beluga, Green Mark and Red Square.

A spokesperson from Endeavour said, "We have currently identified 47 products of Russian origin that we are in the process of removing from our stores, hotels and online platforms. 

"All impacted suppliers have been engaged with and advised of our decision, and we thank them for their understanding. We will continue to monitor and review the situation, and work with our suppliers throughout this process."

Earlier today, a spokesperson from Endeavour said the organisation is deeply concerned with the situation in Ukraine and joins the calls for peace.  Reports say that the move was prompted by calls from the Australian Ukrainian community.

Coles have said they will do the same, taking steps last night to roll this out across Liquorland, Vintage Cellars and First Choice stores.

A Coles Liquor spokesperson said, “The thoughts of everyone at Coles Liquor are with the people of Ukraine and we hope for a peaceful resolution to the current crisis as soon as possible.

We have engaged with our suppliers on community concerns regarding the sale and distribution of Russian-sourced products, and resolved to remove a number of Russian-sourced drinks from sale. The withdrawal will be executed across our store network in coming days.”

At the same time, Stoli Group, producers of Stolichnaya vodka, has distanced itself from Russia issuing a statement today condemning the military action in Ukraine and saying its stands ready to support the Ukrainian people, its teams and partners.

Damian McKinney, Global CEO, Stoli Group said, "The safety and security of our teams is always our top priority. We are monitoring the situation closely and are already moving swiftly and decisively to provide support where needed, both to our people on the ground as well as partners. We are standing side by side with them in this hour of need.

"We are absolutely not a Russian company. We are a global organisation with a significant portfolio of spirits and wine brands from around the world, with Stoli’s European Global HQ based in Luxembourg."

Stoli Premium and Elit are manufactured and bottled in Riga, Latvia and are registered with the US TTB (Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau) as a Latvian product. The business does not have any operations in Russia but it does in Ukraine as well as in many of the bordering countries.

Mr McKinney said, "Operations continue uninterrupted and we do not anticipate any disruption, with solid contingency plans already in place and being executed."

The Stoli vodka brands and its owner Yuri Shefler were exiled from Russia nearly two decades ago.

Mr Shefler bought the Stolichnaya brand from state-owned VVO Soyuzplodoimport for $285,000 in 1997 and Russia's Supreme Court ruled the sale illegal in 2001, banning Mr Shefler from selling the vodka inside its borders.

He relocated to Latvia, where he has major factories before settling in the UK in 2002.

“As the Founder of SPI Group of companies, I have personally experienced persecution by the Russian authorities and I share the pain of Ukraine and its people,” he said.

"We are inspired by the Russian people who have taken to the streets calling for an end to this attack on a sovereign nation. For decades, Stoli Group has supported the marginalised and those at risk of unwarranted aggression. We stand now with all Ukrainians and Russians calling for peace," said Mr McKinney.

Stoli is distributed in Australia by Amber Beverages.