Due to the weakening of the ruble and is scheduled for 2019, raising the value added tax (VAT) may increase the prices of many goods.
Prices of clothing and footwear in Russia in 2019 may increase by 5-20% due to the weakening of the ruble and the rise in the rate of value added tax (VAT) to 20%.
Now in Russia there are three VAT rates: 0%, 10% and primary by 18%. A zero rate is levied on many kinds of transport services. Preferential 10% are the producers of the food basket (meat, milk, flour, bread, fish), children’s clothes and food, books and printed materials, medical products and medicines. All other categories of goods are at the basic rate, it is something next year and will increase by 2%. Thus, more expensive clothes and shoes, household appliances and electronics, automobiles, furniture, alcohol and tobacco products, gasoline, entertainment, trips, apartments, and housing services.
According to experts, clothing and footwear in the budget segment will rise by 5-10%, and premium — and more by 10-20%.
Pricing in the fashion sector is highly dependent on the exchange rate. With the weakening of the ruble and the rise in VAT, the cost of collections will inevitably increase, and hence the prices will also increase by 5-10%. As for pricing Western brands — it is entirely dependent on currency fluctuations, the Russian manufacturers can reduce the dependence from the course, placing orders to domestic factories, but the fabric still has to import.
The tax increase will hit the market in digital technology. Specialists of the information-analytical Agency TelecomDaily has estimated that prices for equipment will increase by about 5%, while the cost increase will manifest itself in one or two months after the introduction of the new tax. So, if before a decent fridge can be bought for 30 thousand rubles, now the price would be added for at least 1.5 thousand.
Real estate market analysts have warned that after the VAT increase the cost of construction projects will increase by 2-3%. Some experts call the more depressing figures: +10%.
The furniture is too expensive, according to the forecasts of market participants — 1-2%, although some time in the shops will be sold at the old prices previously paid for the furniture.