The owner of Nivea said that he decided to stay in Russia to protect the brand
The head of Beiersdorf said that the company will remain in Russia to protect the brand Nivea and pay salaries to employees. Earlier, the Arbitration Court arrested the property of its Russian structure in a dispute with Arnest
German company Beiersdorf has no plans to leave Russia as it intends to protect its Nivea brand and continue to pay salaries to employees. About this CEO Vincent Varnery said during a conference with analysts, reports Reuters.
We know that if we left Russia, someone else could have made Nivea without us. So we stay to protect the brand and pay the salaries of our employees. No more, no less, he said.
Warnery stressed that Beiersdorf’s strategy towards Russia has not changed. The company has been selling Nivea products in the country since 1906.
The announcement comes after a commercial dispute between Beiersdorf’s Russian subsidiary and a local business partner negatively affected third-quarter sales. The company said that the dispute was settled, and the work returned to normal mode, writes Reuters. Sales of Beiersdorf in Eastern Europe for the quarter decreased by 14.6%, excluding Russia — by 1.3%.
The Arbitration Court of the Stavropol Territory in early August arrested the property of the Russian structure Beiersdorf — Bayersdorf LLC — in the framework of the proceedings with the Arnest group. The interim measures were introduced in August, the case was considered behind closed doors, its details are unknown. Bayersdorf tried to challenge the seizure of assets.
A separate dispute between the companies concerned the cost of contract production. According to a source familiar with the process, under the agreement of 2023, Arnest produced aerosol deodorants, antiperspirants and shaving foam for Bayersdorf. In June 2026, the Russian group notified the partner of an increase in the base price by almost 35%. Bayersdorf did not agree and offered an increase of 8%, after which he appealed to the court.
Beiersdorf’s portfolio also includes Eucerin, Hansaplast and La Prairie. Russian LLC Bayersdorf is engaged in wholesale trade in perfumes and cosmetics and, according to reports, does not have its own production. In 2025, its revenue amounted to 20.8 billion rubles, net profit - 2 billion rubles.
