On June 28, AEB Retail Trade Committee held an open meeting to discuss the development of retail in Russia over the past few months. N.V. Kuznetsov, Director of the Department of the Internal Trade Development of the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade, was invited to the meeting. 

The meeting was chaired by Alexey Grigoriev, Chairperson of the Committee and Head of Moscow Representative Office of METRO AG. 

Mr. Nikita Kuznetsov shared his assessment of the main processes in retail over the past few months: price fluctuations, surges and reversals of demand, the dynamics of e-commerce, including the cross-border e-commerce, the first figures of parallel imports, changes in demand for product segments (such as food, clothing and footwear, electronics and home appliances, DIY). 

         

Price regulation, measures of state support, the need to develop domestic production while preserving imports of high-quality goods were mentioned within the conversation. The balance of state policy regimes, such as restrictions and support, in relation to foreign business became a separate subject for discussion. 

The participants of the meeting were able to have a live open communication: representatives of the business community asked questions, commented, made requests and suggestions. By agreement with Mr. Kuznetsov, materials on some of the issues raised during the meeting (EPR rates and tariffs, VAT on foodsharing, etc.) will be forwarded to him from AEB soon.