OREANDA-NEWS  Spending by Russians on online purchases in the first half of the year increased by 20% compared to the same period a year earlier, to 2.7 trillion rubles, of which more than 97% were domestic online stores, according to the Association of Online Trading Companies (AKIT).

"The volume of sales of e-commerce in Russia for the first six months of 2023 amounted to 2.7 trillion rubles - this is 20% higher than the same period last year. Of this amount, 97.2% are purchases from Russian e-commerce companies, the cross-border market has decreased to 2.8% in sales (4.5% in 2022)," they said. At the same time, the share of e-commerce in total retail sales increased by almost one fifth and amounted to 12.7%.

It is noted that changes have also occurred in the ranking of the most active regions in online commerce, which currently provide 52% of all online purchases. Compared to the first half of 2022, the share of the top three decreased: Moscow traditionally remained in first place, but it accounted for 18.4% of total sales, a year ago this figure was 20.4%. Next in the ranking is the Moscow Region – 9.2% against 10.7% and St. Petersburg - 6.2% (7.3% last year).

At the same time, the top 5 popular products included digital and household appliances - Russians spent 522.5 billion rubles on it on the Internet, and its share in total sales – 19.1%, furniture and household goods – 459 billion (16.8%), clothing and footwear – 427 billion (15.6%), products food - 349 billion (12.7%), as well as beauty and health products – 225.5 billion (8.2%).

"Previously, the top 5 products accounted for more than 75% of all purchases - now 72%. Sales growth is also noted in other categories, the most noticeable: "tools" – from 30% to 60%, "creative goods" – from 30% to 80%, "jewelry" – on average 35%, "sporting goods" – on average 30%, as well as "pharmacies". In this category, the growth was uneven – the peak figures were in April-May: +104% and 99%, respectively, compared to the same periods last year," the report adds.