In June 2023, DIE ZEIT published research based on the evaluation of Russian customs data and came to the conclusion that fashion manufacturer Hugo Boss' deliveries to Russia - despite the announcement that its own retail and online business would be temporarily suspended - had increased in value in the twelve months following Putin's invasion of Ukraine.

A company spokeswoman told DIE ZEIT that Hugo Boss continues to fulfil its "contractual obligations" in wholesale. The fact that the fashion manufacturer had closed its own shops had increased "demand in the wholesale sector". The spokeswoman left the amount of taxes paid in Russia open. At the moment, however, the company is examining how to continue its involvement in Russia "in the long term". And "of course" goods are only delivered in "compliance with all existing sanctions".