Russia

The performance of the category remains dependent on the development of IKEA Family card, the only store card available in the market. The strong growth in the number of cards and transaction value in 2019 owes much to the high popularity of IKEA as ...

Credit cards retains significant growth potential as the category remains underdeveloped and penetration is relatively low. The improving economic environment and, therefore, financial situation of Russian households offer growth opportunities for ...

Charge cards remained negligible in Russia at the end of the review period. Because of market specifics in financial cards and payments and the presence of pay-later function debit cards, there is insufficient demand to encourage players to launch ...

A developed transportation infrastructure and the widespread introduction of transportation cards by public transportation companies like Moskovsky Metropoliten and Peterburgsky Metropoliten continue to drive closed loop pre-paid cards. Thus, closed ...

In 2019, financial cards and payments is seeing further strong growth in terms of cards in circulation and transaction value. The industry is also experiencing structural change, in the form of contactless and mobile payments and preparations for the...

In 2019, debit cards continues to see strong growth in terms of the number of cards and transaction value. As consumers become more financially literate, they switch from cash to card payments. This purchasing behaviour is also evolving with the ...

In 2019, consumer credit gross lending is seeing a small dip in current value terms, after three years of dynamic growth. Meanwhile, outstanding balance continues to see strong, if slower, current value growth, compared with 2018. As the authorities ...

Following three years of double-digit current value growth, gross lending saw a decline in 2019. This was informed by decreases in education lending and “other” personal lending in consumer credit, and mortgages/housing. Education lending is hampered...

Lower purchasing power experienced by the majority of Russian consumers resulted in increasing demand for packaging sizes and formats that offered a cost saving across fast-moving consumer goods categories during 2018. On-the-go consumption of hot ...

Adult combination products - analgesics is seeing the fastest current value sales growth in 2019. These products do not fall under the state’s regulation of unit prices, while other types of analgesics are listed as essential medicines. As the unit ...

In general, the incidence of flu was lower in winter 2018/2019, compared with the previous flu season. This decreased the demand for products in the category. Around one half of the population received a flu vaccination in winter 2018/2019, and the ...

Among the category’s drivers are TV advertising and advantageous contracts with pharmacy chains. This is especially typical for antipruritics. Akrikhin has invested in regular advertising to steadily increase its retail value share through the review...

Dietary supplements is seeing only marginal current value growth for a second consecutive year in 2019, following strong growth rates earlier in the review period. This is mainly explained by changing attitudes and purchasing behaviours, as weak ...

Digestive remedies is seeing moderate, but stable, current value growth in 2019, compared with 2018. Moderate current value growth is informed by the economising trend, as lower disposable incomes weaken purchasing power and force consumers to ...

Exposure to electronic devices, such as laptops, smartphones and tablets, continues to grow in 2019, with more consumers using them for work, study and leisure. Growing exposure to electronic devices stimulates eye care sales by leading to overuse ...

Russian consumers usually prioritise effectiveness over naturalness when purchasing consumer health products, as they tend to want and need fast results. Naturalness is not a major factor outside of certain categories, such as sleep aids, cough, cold...

Smoking cessation aids without nicotine continue to supress the performance of the category in 2019. The presence of OTC nicotine-free smoking cessation aids in Russia may also have a negative impact on the development of NRT smoking cessation aids ...

Consumer health continues to see slow current value growth in 2019. As low disposable incomes weaken purchasing power, there is a strong economising trend among consumers. Moreover, consumers are more rational in their purchasing decisions, which ...

Demographic trends undermine the growth potential of paediatric consumer health in Russia. Birth rates continue to decline, with the number of newborns decreasing for a fourth consecutive year in 2019. Even additional measures to encourage births, ...

Current value growth in sleep aids is far above the average for OTC in 2019. Growth drivers include the increasingly hectic and stressful lifestyles of the Russian population, and anxieties related to economic instability, low consumer purchasing ...