Report: Nikon may return to Russia (Google translated) – pictured above is the official Nikon Russia website:
The Russian office of Nikon, Nikon LLC, established in 2008 by the Dutch legal entity of the manufacturer, is considering the possibility of resuming official supplies of products to Russia. Moreover, we are talking about the near future. The media wrote about this with reference to the company’s financial statements filed with the Federal Tax Service in April 2024.
The history of Nikon’s gradual decline in activity in the Russian market began in 2022 – since March, the Russian office stopped receiving cameras, optics, and spare parts. However, already in December, the Russian division decided not to keep goods in stock and began selling off the remaining stock. By the end of 2023, everything was sold out, the media refer to the financial statements of Nikon LLC.
And then something amazing begins: from mid-2023, supplies of spare parts resumed. Parts needed for servicing Nikon cameras and Nikkor optics were sent by Nikon Singapore. The repair centers finally received the necessary components.
Thus, there has been a positive shift in the situation with the presence of the Japanese manufacturer in the Russian market. However, the Russian division has optimized all costs in order to cope with the situation.
Thus, without taking into account separate divisions outside Russia, at the end of 2023, the number of employees of Nikon LLC was 8 people, Tadviser writes.
By the way, Photar.ru very carefully and with interest watched the development of the Japanese manufacturer of photographic equipment in Russia. In 2021, we attended the opening of the company’s new office – in the colorful Nikon Plaza on Novinsky Boulevard in Moscow. As conceived by the Russian division, the updated space was supposed to attract the attention of photographers and cameramen who really want to study the equipment before purchasing, and not make a choice solely based on technical characteristics. Look, photograph, hold in your hands.
Moreover, it was possible to take a photo here not only “offhand”. Nikon Plaza housed a special area with professional lighting for more detailed testing of equipment. Neither Canon nor Sony have any analogues of such a service in Russia.
Nikon Plaza has combined a service, an offline store, and even a training school for working with Z-mount cameras (Nikon School). However, unfortunately, the center is now “temporarily closed.”
From the explanations to the financial statements of Nikon LLC it follows that the timing of the resumption of supplies of Nikon cameras and optics depends on the development of external events. Two options are being considered.
First: with the resumption of supplies, the Russian division plans to begin generating net profit within the next year. That is, a fairly quick restoration of work and a positive return is predicted.
Second: if supplies are not restored, the company will have to rely on its own financial strength. Its supply is estimated to be enough to work for more than 2 years in such conditions.
There is another positive aspect – the Dutch founder is not going to liquidate the Russian Nikon LLC. This may indicate a potential continuation of work in the country and a smooth restoration of business processes. Moreover, back in mid-2023, as mentioned above, the company again began supplying components to the Russian division.
Source: photar.ru