In 2016, large retail chains grew: Russia’s largest retailers Magnit and X5 Retail Group each opened about 2,000 new stores. Some smaller chains, such as Novosibirsk grocery chain Avoska, Petersburg chain of farm products Girlanda and others, left the market.
A number of companies changed the top management. Alexander Barsukov was appointed a new CEO of Tander (Magnit). Sergei Belyakov replaced Elijah Yakubson as a new president of Dixi retailer, but then a few months later he was replaced by Pedro Manuel Pereira da Silva.
There are reports that Vernij retail chain is selling some of its stores. Although the company denies it, it turned out that a few shops were actually sold to X5 Retail Group.
Meanwhile, retailers explored new markets. For example, many federal companies were interested in opening stores in Grozny, and in February 2016 Lenta retailer opened the first supermarket in the Chechen Republic.
Globus announced that it was going to invest 9 billion rubles in the construction of a retail park near Moscow. Estimated construction period is 2015 – 2020.
Metro Cash&Carry presented a new concept of shops Fasol Express, located at gas stations. The company plans to double the amount of stores every year.
Finnish company Stockmann is leaving the Russian market and closing ten Lindex stores. According to company estimates, the losses amounted to about 78 million euros. Executive Director of the Stockmann was going to resign after the sale of the business in Russia.
In June, Igor Shekhterman, Executive Director of X5 Retail Group, told about the plans of chain development: two most important regions for X5 are Siberia, where it is planned to open 150 stores over the next two years, and South Russia . The first stores are located in Novosibirsk in the stores, previously belonged to Avoska, which was forced to withdraw from the market. The network consisted of 12 stores.
In order to start supplying products to new regions X5 will build new distribution centers. “We have opened 35 distribution centers so far, and we are planning to open around 27 more in five years” – said X5 Retail Group CEO.
In September, premium retail chain Azbuka Vkusa launched a project of biometric payments, now customers can pay by placing a finger on the scanner.
In September, Forbes magazine published the rating of the largest private companies in Russia. Magnit took the first place, followed by X5 Retail Group.
In late October, Kesko Food Russia Holding announced that it would sell 11 K-Ruoka stores in St. Petersburg and Leningrad region to Lenta retailer for 11 billion rubles.
Auchan announced that Atak stores would be rebranded into Auchan store in the next 1,5 year. Also, Auchan in Moscow intends to build the largest distribution center in Europe. The venue will strengthen the retailer’s position in the Central region. In 2017, Auchan plans to increase its investment by almost half – up to 30 billion rubles.
Okey owners, Dmitry Korzhev, Dmitry Troitsky and Boris Volchek, who owned 78.97% of the company, decided to sell their shares. Among the main buyers there are Auchan, Lenta and, according to unconfirmed reports, Magnit.
In December, one of the leading Russian retailer Dixie bought 12 stores from 7th Continent.