Litebox Litebox Cloud Riteil MTS Cass

Cloudy retail"" is engaged in the development of solutions for cash service automation and other operations of trading activities online - warehouse accounting, purchases, sales analytics.

2018: Write-off of RUB 765 mln by MTS

On April 26, 2023, at one of the conferences dedicated to the telecommunications industry, the MTS operator recognized its investments in the online cash desk project as a mistake.

As noted, in CNews 2017, MTS acquired a 50.8% stake in Litebox LLC, Cloudy retail which develops software for trade automation. The transaction amount amounted to 620 million: rubles of which 420 million rubles were received by the owners of the enterprise, while 170 million rubles went to the authorized capital of the company. The purchase was made against the backdrop of the entry into force of a new law obliging most outlets to have cash registers with fiscal drives and a connection to. to the Internet The operator also concluded with the owners of Cloud Retail options such as call- and put-, allowing MTS to buy out the remaining stake (49.125%) in the company.

MTS acquired a stake in Litebox in 2017

MTS hoped on the basis of Litebox to create MTS Kassu, a boxed solution for small businesses designed for full-featured automation of the enterprise's trading activities. It was assumed that the corresponding cash terminal will work in cloud software, transmitting data via the MTS mobile network or Wi-Fi, the CNews said in a statement.

However, in practice, the project was a failure. According to Alexander Gorbunov, MTS Vice President for Strategy, the implementation of the initiative was hindered by existing "corruption" schemes on the market. In addition, sales of the boxed product were seriously hampered. As a result, only at the end of 2018, the operator, due to the depreciation of Cloud Retail, was forced to write off losses in the amount of 765 million rubles. At the same time, it is emphasized that in 2021 the MTS operator consolidated a 100% stake in this company, despite the recognition of the online cash desk project as unsuccessful.^[1]

2017: MTS acquires 50.82% stake in the company's capital

In October, the telecommunications company MTS acquired 50.82% in the capital of the Russian developer software for retail trade LLC "" Cloudy retail(brand). LiteBox The transaction amount amounted to 620 million rubles. It includes the company's debt in the amount of 30 million rubles, 420 million rubles. investments in its capital for business development and 170 million rubles. payments to owners for increasing the share of MTS to the control, according to the MTS report.

MTS became the controlling shareholder of Cloud Retail

The company also entered into an option agreement with the shareholders of the startup: at the request of the minority shareholders of Cloud Retail, MTS will have to redeem their shares at a price dependent on the results of the company's business in 2019^[2].

After closing the transaction, MTS will begin to supply ready-made solutions for cash servicing of business clients. In particular, the operator will offer the MTS Kass cash terminal, designed to automate the trading detail of the enterprise.

According to representatives of Cloud Retail, the decision to find an investor was made in connection with the need to scale the project, which required significant investments in technological and organizational changes.

Representatives of MTS and Cloud Retail LLC after signing the agreement

For its part, MTS, planning to enter a new market for cloud cash registers and expand its level of digital competencies outside the telecom, made a choice in favor of acquiring a software product developed by Cloud Retail. According to the operator's representatives, LiteBox is the most functional cloud solution among its analogues on the Russian market, allowing, in addition to cash services, to keep inventory, manage purchases, draw up documentation, prepare analytical reports and work with loyalty programs.

MTS has the necessary infrastructure and retail network to scale business throughout the country. According to Roman Arifullin, General Director of Cloud Retail, MTS participation in the development of the startup opens up ample opportunities for the operational implementation of the company's ideas.

See also

• Online data exchange between outlets and the tax office

Notes