Retail Is Becoming a Driver of Robotics Adoption in Russia

Retail is emerging as a key engine of automation and digital transformation in Russia, according to Denis Manturov. Speaking about the sector’s future, Manturov said retail could play a leading role in adopting robotics and digital systems—boosting business efficiency, raising labor productivity, and supporting domestic manufacturers in high-tech industries.

Manturov noted that the government is backing these efforts through the national project Means of Production and Automation. Under the program, subsidies are being allocated to support the purchase of Russian-made robotic manipulators and automated production lines. Agreements have already been signed to compensate equipment discounts totaling roughly 4 billion rubles.

A First Fully Automated Dark Store

The remarks were made during a visit to the first fully automated dark store operated by X5 Group, where only domestic technologies are used. The facility is currently running in pilot industrial mode and has achieved a robotization level of about 70 percent.

As a result, order picking times across a catalog of more than 21,000 products have been nearly cut in half. Customer delivery now takes just 30 to 40 minutes after an order is placed—one of the fastest benchmarks in the sector.

X5 is one of Russia’s largest retail companies, operating thousands of stores in multiple formats. It also runs a dedicated division, X5 Robotics, which focuses on deploying robotic and automated solutions across logistics operations. The company is actively developing technology-driven projects, including the automation of distribution centers and the integration of AI services to improve overall business performance.

State Support and Long-Term Automation Goals

The national project Means of Production and Automation is designed to expand domestic machine-building and robotics manufacturing. Its goals include strengthening technological independence, supporting Russian equipment producers, and accelerating automation across industries—from retail to warehouse infrastructure.

Under federal plans, the share of domestic technological solutions used in industry is expected to rise significantly by 2030, creating new incentives for innovation and investment.

Taken together, government incentives, the rollout of Russian-made robots, and real-world deployments at major retail facilities suggest that the digital transformation of retail in Russia is no longer theoretical—it is already underway and delivering measurable results.