Russia's new national trade model provides for creation of self-regulation institution for online, offline retailers - minister

MOSCOW. Nov 12 (Interfax) - The Industry and Trade Ministry expects to form a self-regulation institution that unites both online and offline retailers, and this proposal is included in the ministry's list of initiatives when forming a new national trade model, Industry and Trade Minister Anton Alikhanov told reporters following the Platform Economy Day conference.

One of the tasks of the new model is to "eliminate imbalances and legal gaps in the regulation of trading activities," Alikhanov said.

"First of all, it is necessary to get rid of outdated norms, such as maintaining a trade register. To create a universal institution of self-regulation with the participation of retail chains, suppliers, digital platforms and interested government bodies. It should become a center for developing uniform voluntary standards of business conduct and arbitration mechanisms," he said.

One of the common requirements for all participants will be compliance with the legislation on the circulation of goods, including confirmation of their legality, the availability of all necessary documents, labeling and its validity, he said.

As part of the new model's formation, it is also planned that online trading platforms that are part of the same group of entities as a retail chain will be allowed to conclude intermediary agreements when selling food products. Currently, a marketplace that is part of the same group as a retail chain is subject to the requirement to purchase the products.

When forming the new trade model, the Industry and Trade Ministry also proposes to work out a norm that would allow the owners of order pickup points to operate in a multi-brand format and "conclude contracts with any desired platforms," Alikhanov said.

He cited data according to which the level of e-commerce in Russia grew 30% in 9M 2025, and its share in total retail trade amounted to around 18%.