OREANDA-NEWS  Over the past two years, sales on marketplaces in Russia have increased dramatically. This was stated by the Minister of Economic Development Maxim Reshetnikov, quoted by RIA Novosti.

According to the head of the department, sales in online stores have tripled. The turnover of marketplaces exceeded 4.8 trillion rubles. Electronic commerce is actively developing due to the fact that online platforms allow businessmen to reduce the cost of delivering goods, and manufacturers from the hinterland to enter the markets of megacities, Reshetnikov emphasized.

Anton Alikhanov, head of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, mentioned possible limitations on the ability of marketplaces to influence the prices of goods on the sidelines of SPIEF 2025. According to him, the draft law "On the Platform Economy" contains a provision that suggests that if a marketplace holds promotions or announces discounts, regardless of whose expense, it must obtain the seller's direct and clear consent in advance to reduce the price.

At the same time, State Duma deputy Artyom Kiryanov criticized the initiative. According to the parliamentarian, this measure is nothing more than unfair competition and unethical lobbying. In addition, he saw it as an attempt to kill a small business and get into the wallet of Russians. Marketplaces are currently, as a rule, the only chance for regional manufacturers to reach the consumer, Kiryanov recalled.