During the past few years the Russian Internet-retail grew steadily by 30 – 40% every year. The last year was not an exception: the online trading volumes amounted to about 12 billion dollars. However, these indicators still do not exceed 2% of the total retail trade turnover in the country. Such level of penetration of electronic commerce in other civilized countries was 8 – 10 years ago, and in the countries with developing economies (Brazil, China) this indicator is now not less than 5%.

According to Morgan Stanley’s forecasts, 2013 will be a turning point for the Russian e-commerce market. Experts suppose that in the coming years Russia can become one of the most dynamically developing markets. McKinsey’s analysts also predict that by 2014 the volume of the Russian online-trade market can increase to 25 billion dollars, that is, grow practically twice.

The continued growth is due to the objective reasons and, first and foremost, the increase of the number of Internet users and the common level of the internetization of the country. The level of penetration of the global network in Russia in 2013 will approach 70%, and the number of users will be 90 million people.

Among other things is the rapid growth of penetration of the mobile Internet. According to J'son&Partners Consulting, in 2012 the active subscriber base of users of the mobile Internet-access on smartphones increased by 88 %, relative to the results of 2011, and amounted to 22.5 million subscribers, and this year it can increase by another one third. The number of people, having online purchase experience is also extensively growing, by 15-20% annually.

Besides, it should be noted, that the Russian regions were and will remain the major driver of the growth of the online trade in 2012-2013. As it was stated in “Yandex”, the share of regional Internet-shops increased from 23% to 36% during the year. This is a very promising trend.

Now the Russian Internet-retail is still in the period of formation, and during the nearest years will undergo significant changes. Firstly, there are many serious players; secondly, producers themselves began to pay significant attention to the market. For example, Sony, Samsung, Panasonic, Philips have their own Internet-shops. The global giant Apple is rumored to be preparing to enter the Russian market with its company Internet-shop.

Thus, during the next few years, we can expect the industry’s double turnover, significant increase of the number of online buyers and sellers, highlighting among them obvious leaders, and the beginning of the consolidation of the industry.