As the European Union has introduced a new sanctions "package", Russia may, in response, introduce an additional import ban on clothes, wine, vehicles, luxury goods, fridges and petrochemicals from EU or the US. There is no final list and no draft regulation imposing this ban but, as the state officials say, certain response measures are sure to be introduced.
The experts say, however, that Russian consumers will hardly notice the difference as the market share of clothes imported from the US is around 0,5% and from the EU - around 12%.
It is also extremely difficult, if possible at all, to restrict purchases made by Russian consumers from foreign internet shops. Russian consumers spend billions of roubles every year on clothes purchased in overseas internet shops.
Restrictive measures will have the most impact on those who import luxury clothes from the EU and the US. They are likely to have to close down their boutiques which are popular among the wealthy Russians. Alternatively, they will have to focus on importing luxury brands from Asia, including China.