Starbucks to exit Russia after nearly 15 years

A branch of Starbucks in the Russian city of St Petersburg.

Starbucks said it will exit the Russian market after nearly 15 years as the coffee chain joins McDonald's in marking the end of the presence of some of the top Western brands in the country.

Seattle-based Starbucks has 130 stores in Russia, operated by its licensee Alshaya Group, with nearly 2,000 employees in the country.