By Edvardas Špokas, Irma Janauskaitė, LRT TV, LRT.lt.

Lithuanian authorities are investigating whether the Russian-owned discount supermarket chain Mere, forced to close following European Union sanctions, has re-emerged under a new brand. The country’s Minister of the Economy and Innovation has asked the Financial Crime Investigation Service (FNTT) to determine whether newly opened Ola stores are linked to sanctioned Russian business interests and represent an attempt to circumvent EU sanctions.

The investigation follows speculation on social media that Mere has effectively reopened under a different name. Market analysts say such a development would not be unprecedented, pointing to a similar pattern in Poland after sanctions were imposed there.

Mere closes following EU sanctions

Following the European Union’s latest sanctions package, Mere stores ceased trading in both Lithuania and Latvia. The sanctions target the chain’s owner, Sergei Shnaider, together with all shareholders of the Svetofor Group, which operates the Mere brand.

Before closing, Mere operated nearly 30 stores across Lithuania, employing around 250 people.

Customers expressed disappointment at the closures, saying the chain had provided low-cost groceries rather than exclusively Russian products.

Read more: LRT.LT