Rendezvous Faces Scandal After Lavish Courchevel Celebration
The scandal surrounding the Rendezvous clothing and footwear chain continues to rage online. It was triggered by a large-scale press tour marking the 16th anniversary of its boutique in Courchevel and the company«s 25th anniversary. The event invited journalist Ksenia Sobchak, blogger Oksana Samoilova, stylist Alexander Rogov, model Elena Perminova, actress Elizaveta Bazykina, and other celebrities and employees.
According to Life«s estimates, the company spent at least 30 million rubles (about $333,000 at current rates). Against this backdrop, employees began complaining of sharp salary cuts, and customers started boycotting purchases. MSK1.RU reports what is known about the scandalous affair.
Luxury Hotels and a Million-Ruble Dinner
The celebration at the elite French ski resort was held on a grand scale for four days. According to the Telegram channel Baza, guests were accommodated at the luxury hotel Le Strato for nearly 800,000 rubles (about $8,900). Restaurants served premium alcohol, as well as oysters, jamón, and prosciutto. One such dinner cost over a million rubles (about $11,100). The program also included skiing and snowboarding, private helicopter flights, and a photo shoot.
The company actively shared footage of the celebration on its social media, sparking a wave of indignation from users. They felt the company had «lost touch with reality,» condemned it for holding the corporate event abroad instead of at domestic resorts, and called for a boycott of purchases at its stores. Commentators were also outraged by the presence of the marketing director among the stars and the selection of invited guests.
Salary Cuts and Rendezvous«s Response
Amid the management«s trip to Courchevel, employees complained of mass salary cuts in Moscow, writes REN TV citing a source in the company. According to the publication»s interlocutor, salaries were cut to 80,000 rubles (about $889), whereas previously, working a 7/0 schedule, one could earn up to 250,000 rubles (about $2,800).
«He realized he needed to pay less. And he started paying less. Now in some stores they transfer 80,000, you won»t get more,« explained REN TV»s source.
Rendezvous«s press service stated that »employee salaries have not been cut.« They also added that in all stores, the base salary was increased and »the guaranteed portion of employees« income has become higher.»
«Specifically, the system for calculating sales percentages has changed. Now the variable portion is divided into two components: the consultant»s personal sales and the store«s overall results. This approach preserves the opportunity to earn well based on personal performance while supporting teamwork,» the company announced on its official Instagram page (the platform is banned in Russia).
What is Known About the Rendezvous Store Chain
Rendezvous LLC is a company registered in 2014. Its general director is listed as businessman Mikhail Andrianov, and its founder and sole shareholder is entrepreneur Mariam Bakhchinyan. She received her 100% stake as collateral from her brother Simon Bakhchinyan in 2022.
The Rendezvous store chain includes over 100 outlets across Russia. Its assortment features mid-range and luxury clothing, footwear, and perfume brands: Diesel, Karl Lagerfeld, Love Moschino, and others.
According to MSK1.RU, the company has a total of 5,086 employees on its payroll. Based on current job postings from 22 January of this year, sales consultants in Moscow are offered salaries ranging from 80,000–90,000 rubles (about $889–$1,000) to 130,000–170,000 rubles (about $1,444–$1,889).
According to data from courts of general jurisdiction, at least 75 lawsuits have been filed against Rendezvous. Most are related to consumer protection.
In July 2024, following a lawsuit by Rospotrebnadzor in Moscow«s North-Eastern Administrative District, a consumer»s demands to terminate a sales contract and recover 7,110 rubles (about $79) from Rendezvous LLC for selling substandard footwear were satisfied.
«After brief use (no more than one and a half hours), the buyer discovered the following defects: severe staining of the sock products purchased for use with the shoes, and a sharp chemical odor from the shoes. The consumer contacted the Rendez-Vous store for a return, pointing out the detected defects. Rendezvous LLC sent the shoes for examination, but the expert did not identify any manufacturing defects,» states the Rospotrebnadzor website.
Ultimately, the court recovered 36,330 rubles (about $404) from Rendezvous LLC, which included the purchase amount, a penalty, compensation for moral damages, and a fine for not voluntarily satisfying the consumer«s legal demands.
A correspondent from MSK1.RU«s editorial office attempted to contact the company»s general director and founder, but Mikhail Andrianov and Mariam Bakhchinyan did not answer the call.
Previously, we reported on what is known about the rebranding of the home goods chain OBI and whether Lenta can save the loss-making business with German roots.
