Trade in Moscow

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• Retail in Russia
• Online trading in Moscow

Internet trade

Main article: Internet trading in Moscow

Chronicle

2024: Retail growth of 4.9% to ₽7,5 trillion

The volume of retail trade in Moscow in 2024 reached ₽7,5 trillion, an increase of 4.9% in comparable prices compared to the previous year. This was announced on February 25, 2025 by the deputy mayor of the capital, head of the Department of Economic Policy and Development of the city Maria Bagreeva. The share of Moscow in the all-Russian volume of retail trade increased to 13.5%.

According to the portal of the mayor of Moscow, the main contribution to growth was made by the non-food sector, whose turnover increased by 8.1% and amounted to ₽3,8 trillion. The most positive dynamics was demonstrated by stores of cosmetics and perfumes, clothing, furniture, as well as digital video and audio equipment.

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Фото: Freepik

Maria Bagreeva noted that consumer activity in Moscow remains high. Under the influence of sustainable demand, network outlets and marketplaces are actively expanding sales channels and delivery services, increasing the assortment due to their own brands, domestic products and products from friendly countries.

The turnover of food products also showed positive dynamics, although more moderate compared to the non-food sector. Growth was 1.6%, and total sales reached ₽3,7 trillion. Positive changes in this sector are associated, in particular, with the active development of grocery delivery services and the opening of cafeterias directly in retail outlets.

The structure of retail trade in Moscow in 2024 demonstrates a slight advantage of non-food products (50.7%) over food (49.3%). This indicates the balance of consumer demand and the stable position of both market segments.

The growth in purchasing activity also affected the attendance of shopping centers in the capital. In 2024, their traffic increased by 2.1% compared to 2023 and averaged 271 people per day per thousand square meters of retail space.^[1]

2023

Mutual trade between Moscow and the BRICS member countries increased by 36.5% by the end of the year

At the end of 2023, mutual trade between Moscow and the BRICS member countries showed significant growth, an increase of 36.5%. This increase was the result of active interaction in various industries, including industry, in which Moscow high-tech enterprises established supplies of their products to Iran, South Africa and Brazil. This was announced in September 2024 by the Minister of the Government of Moscow and the head of the Moscow Department of Investment and Industrial Policy Anatoly Garbuzov.

According to TASS, over the past few years, Moscow has significantly expanded cooperation with the BRICS countries. Within the framework of international cooperation, the capital's companies offer mutually beneficial projects in such areas as microelectronics, automotive and railway engineering, power, as well as agriculture. Active positions are occupied by projects in aircraft and machine tools, the chemical and pharmaceutical industries, as well as the production of building materials and the agro-industrial complex.

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Фото: Unsplash

Since the beginning of 2022, thanks to the support of the Mosprom center, Moscow enterprises have been able to reorient their export flows, finding new partners in the markets of Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, Southeast Asia and the CIS countries. An important role in the development of cooperation with the BRICS countries is played by the digital platform "My Export," created within the framework of the national project "International Cooperation and Export." On this platform, entrepreneurs are given the opportunity to receive expert advice, analytical information, assistance in promoting goods to international marketplaces, as well as undergo online training.

During the first half of 2024, Moscow's trade with the BRICS states increased by 14.7% compared to the same period in 2023, which is 9 percentage points higher than the average for Russia. Deputy Mayor of Moscow Maxim Liksutov noted that Moscow supports export-oriented companies, helping them find new partners in foreign markets.^[2]

Online trading market in Moscow for the first time exceeded 1 trillion rubles

The volume of online trade in Moscow at the end of 2023 reached 1.12 trillion rubles against 966.2 billion rubles a year earlier. This is evidenced by the data of the Association of Internet Trade Companies (AKIT), with which TAdviser got acquainted in mid-June 2024. Read more here.

Retail trade growth by 7% to 6.6 trillion rubles

In 2023, retail turnover in Moscow reached approximately 6.6 trillion rubles. This is 7.3% more in comparable prices, taking into account inflation compared to 2022. Such data were released on March 6, 2024 by the metropolitan government.

According to Vladimir Efimov, Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Economic Policy and Property and Land Relations, growth in retail trade in 2023 was ensured primarily due to the non-food sector. Its turnover increased in relation to 2022 by 16.7% in comparable prices and reached almost 3.3 trillion rubles.

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Фото: Unsplash

Consumer activity in this segment [non-food] has recovered, large retailers have debugged the supply system, and the products of companies that have left the market are replaced by domestic brands and brands of friendly countries, says Efimov.

At the same time, the turnover of food trade on an annualized basis has practically not changed: at the end of 2023, it exceeded 3.3 trillion rubles. The maximum monthly sales volume was recorded in December: the figure reached 763.3 billion rubles, which is a quarter more compared to the same month in 2022.

It is also said about the increase in occupancy of the capital's shopping centers. According to estimates by the Department of Economic Policy and Development of the city of Moscow, the flow density of visitors to the shopping center by the end of 2023 averaged 280 people per day per 1,000 square meters. This is 1.8% more compared to the end of 2022. The positive dynamics indicate a gradual recovery of the relevant trade segment after the decline provoked by the withdrawal of a number of foreign companies from the Russian market due to the current geopolitical situation. More and more domestically produced goods are on sale as part of the import substitution program.^[3]

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