Poland has taken a strong step by putting sanctions on a Russian-owned discount supermarket chain called MyPrice. This supermarket is part of a bigger group known in Russia as Svetofor, and it recently reopened two stores in Poland. But the Polish government acted quickly to shut things down again.
The stores, which operate under the name Mere in many countries, are known for selling items at very low prices. They try to attract people who want to save money on food and household goods. But even though the prices may be low, the Polish authorities saw something much more serious going on behind the scenes.
According to Poland’s National Tax Administration, the group behind MyPrice is indirectly helping Russia in its war against Ukraine. That means the supermarket’s money or business ties may be supporting Russia’s military actions—even if not openly. Poland doesn’t want any businesses on its land to be involved in that.
Because of this, the government froze the company’s assets in Poland. That means MyPrice can’t use its money or properties in the country anymore. The supermarket is also banned from doing any financial transactions in Poland.
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In simple terms, it’s like the business has been “put on pause” and isn’t allowed to play in Poland’s economy anymore.
Small Stores, Big Concerns
Although the MyPrice chain had only just returned to Poland, the decision to block it sends a loud and clear message. The company was previously forced to leave several European countries after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. But it tried to come back quietly in 2024 under the name Torgservis PL, opening a few new discount stores.
Even though these stores didn’t have a big presence in Poland, the authorities acted quickly. They don’t want any company, big or small, to help fund military aggression—even if it happens indirectly. That’s why Poland’s National Tax Administration said this action was necessary. They are being careful to block any money or business ties that could support the conflict in Ukraine.
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According to reports, the chain has also been slowly opening stores in other parts of Europe, like Hungary and Serbia. It’s been operating under different names in an attempt to avoid attention. But as the Polish government’s actions show, even small moves can be noticed—and stopped.
Industry experts say that this move is unlikely to affect Poland’s retail market much. That’s because the MyPrice chain didn’t have many stores or customers there yet. Other discount stores and supermarkets already meet the needs of people looking for low-cost shopping.
A Growing Giant with Controversial Ties
The larger company behind MyPrice, called Torgservis Group, runs two main store brands: Mere and Svetofor. These chains are very successful in Russia. In fact, Svetofor has more than 2,000 stores across the country. It started in the southern region of Krasnoyarsk and quickly became one of Russia’s fastest-growing retail companies. Back in 2020, it made about $2.3 billion in revenue.
Outside of Russia, Torgservis Group began spreading into other countries several years ago. It opened its first Serbian stores in 2020 and expanded more in 2022. The company focuses on selling products cheaply, often using very basic store designs and limited staff to keep costs low.
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But its links to Russian owners and the military conflict in Ukraine have brought a lot of attention. European countries have become more cautious about allowing such companies to operate, especially if there’s a chance their profits might end up helping fund war efforts.
Poland is just the latest country to step in. The sanctions placed on MyPrice show how seriously the government is taking any potential risk—no matter how small it may seem. By freezing the company’s assets and banning its financial activities, Poland is making it clear: businesses linked to war will not find a place in its economy.
