Online and Offline Retail Space Now Are Equal in Russia

For the first time, the footprint of e-commerce logistics in Russia has caught up with that of brick-and-mortar retail, signaling a seismic shift in the market.

Online and offline retail operations now occupy equal amounts of commercial real estate in Russia. This milestone comes as digital retailers have expanded their warehouse space sevenfold over the past five years—reaching 8 million square meters. Experts attribute this to the growing role of e-commerce in shaping market demand.

A major study by Sber confirms the trend. In 2024, traditional retail stores generated over 10 trillion rubles in sales. Most categories posted growth except for clothing, footwear, accessories, general merchandise, and home appliances. Overall offline retail grew by 4%.

E-commerce however surged ahead with more than 9 trillion rubles in sales last year—a 41% increase, marking a record high. Analysts say this rapid growth is driven by infrastructure expansion and digital transformation within the sector. According to the E-Commerce Association half of Russian consumers now shop online, and that figure rises to 70% in major cities like Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Krasnodar.