Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree transferring the assets of several foreign retail companies operating in Russia to a single Russian company called "L.E.V. Management." The decree, published on an official legal documents website, outlines the transfer of shares and assets held by foreign firms like Nestlé, Auchan, and the former Leroy Merlin chain—now known as Lemana Pro in Russia. This move is part of a broader effort to nationalize or transfer foreign-owned businesses in Russia, particularly those linked to Western companies that have either left the country or faced sanctions. The decree specifically mentions the transfer of Auchan's Russian shares, which are owned by the French company Sogepar. For the hardware store network that was previously operated by Leroy Merlin, the assets of the group "Scenari Holding LP" are now being transferred to L.E.V. Management. This follows a decision by the French company Adeo in 2023 to hand over control of Leroy Merlin’s Russian operations to local management. In 2024, the chain was officially renamed Lemana Pro, signaling a transition to Russian ownership. Auchan and the former Leroy Merlin are part of the Mulliez family’s extensive retail empire in France, which also includes Decathlon, a popular sports equipment retailer. Decathlon, however, ceased its operations in Russia in March 2022 due to supply chain disruptions and the impact of international sanctions. These companies have been well-established in Russia, with numerous stores across the country, but many have either left or been forced out due to the ongoing conflict and geopolitical tensions. Nestlé, another major multinational, is also affected by the decree, with assets owned by "Nestle Deutschland AG" and "Nestlé Products Company" being transferred to L.E.V. Management. Meanwhile, the Russian subsidiary of another food giant, Danone, was seized by the Russian government in 2023 and later sold to a relative of Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov. These actions reflect a broader trend of state intervention in foreign-owned businesses, often resulting in their nationalization or sale to domestic interests.