Red Bull gets its wings clipped in the Caucuses

ALTHOUGH OUTWARD appearances sometimes suggest otherwise, global brands have numerous challenges. They have to respond to the nuances of multiple markets, ensure their products meet quality standards, deal with local sales forces and retailers and often compete with rival knock-offs of their brands. Spare a thought then for Red Bull whose quest for domination of the energy drinks market received a setback when the authorities in Chechnya declared its brand un-Islamic. Lumping the caffeine-heavy beverage together with beer and spirits which are available only at certain times of the day, the government has banned sales to under 18s completely. Chechnya, under the leadership of Ramzan Kadyrov has progressively passed laws supporting its own interpretation of Islam in moves which mean its beleaguered population is unlikely to be the target of western brands any time soon.