X5 Retail Group, the second biggest Russian food retailer, announced the cessation of active commercial operations at its E5.RU, the Company’s online retail channel, effective 1 January 2015.
The Company continues to evaluate the role technology and innovation will play in complementing the value propositions of the current “brick-and-mortar” food retail business as well as delivering better services and value to customers.
E5 will cease taking online orders as of 10 December 2014 while the Company will continue to honor any obligations the online retailer has to customers. E5.RU was launched by X5 in February 2012. The online retailer recorded net Russian Rouble sales of 502 million and 1,431 million in 2012 and 2013, respectively, or 0.1% and 0.2% of the Company’s total net retail sales for the respective periods.