Retail markets in all Russian Federal Districts increased in 2010 by total $80bn - April 2011

In 2010, Russian retail market recovered after the economic slowdown observed in the previous year and increased by 12.6% to RUB 16.4tr ($541bn). However, the latest PMR report „Retail in Russia 2011 – Regional focus. Market analysis and development forecasts for 2011-2013” shows that particular regional retail markets still reveal differences in their development due to their unique nature and local characteristics. Some companies went bankrupt, the majority had to focus on efficiency rather than dynamic expansion, still, the most prominent of them kept their positions.

The retail industry in Russia varies significantly among the Federal Districts both in terms of value and the character of development. Being the smallest and the most populous region of Russia, the Central Federal District remains the largest retail market in the country, accounting for 34% of country sales in 2010. The Far East traditionally had the lowest share of retail sales among the Federal Districts in Russia. At the same time, the Far East is the largest District in terms of area with the population that comprises only 6% of Russians.