Global self-service wholesaler Metro Cash & Carry will open an online store in Russia in the last quarter of this year, according to the Russian subsidiary’s general manager, Peter Boon. Tests of the online platform will start in August, Boon told the Russian news agency RIA Novosti.
The company will continue to develop its offline network actively, Boon added, with up to eight new stores opening in 2012. Three of these stores have already launched.
In 2011 Metro’s 65 Russian stores generated sales of 3.42 billion euros, up 16.8% from the previous year – compared to a global turnover of 31.2 billion euros, up 0.2% from 2010, RIA Novosti reported.
With the notable exceptions of consumer electronics retailers such as Svyaznoy and Mvideo, and distance selling companies such as the Otto group and La Redoute, major offline players are just making their first steps on the Russian e-commerce scene. Some companies, among them X5 Retail Group and Auchan, have started online experiments, but with limited features and/or limited assortment so far. Others, like Ikea and Leroy Merlin, still conduct no online sales in Russia even though they have developed online commerce in other countries. But Benetton started a Russian e-commerce experiment in early 2012 – even before going online in other countries.
- RUSSIAN E-COMMERCE REPORT 2012 – The total volume of Russian online retail reached 310 billion rubles, a little more than $10 billion, in 2011, up 25% from the previous year. EWDN’s research study of Russian e-commerce will be available soon. To receive free insights or to order the full version, please contact us at [email protected].
