Ozon.ru lowers 2016 revenue growth forecast to 20%, same growth expected in 2017
KAZAN. Sept 20 (Interfax) - Russian online retailer Ozon.ru has revised its revenue growth guidance for 2016 downwards to 20%, and expects the same level of growth in 2017, Ozon Group in Russia CEO Danny Perekalsky told journalists.
"In 8M 2016 growth was 20%. This year growth is forecast at 20%, to 18 billion rubles," he said.
In 2015, sales turnover increased 33% to 15 billion rubles (GMV and partner sales). The retailer earlier planned to increase sales revenue by 25% to 18.75 billion rubles in 2016.
Perekalsky confirmed that the forecast was revised downwards. "At the start of the year we thought that [revenue growth] would be 25%. We thought that the market would grow more," he said.
According to estimates by experts, market growth in 2015 was 15% and this year it will slow to 10%, he said.
Perekalsky also said that guidance for 2017 would be confirmed by the end of October. "We are exploring options where we allocate more money in order for growth to increase. Minimum revenue growth is 20%, that is our plan for next year," he said.
In 2015 the retailer processed 5.18 million orders, and expects over 6 million orders this year.
Perekalsky confirmed the company's plans for an IPO. "It is possible, not in the upcoming year, but in the next few years. We are only at the beginning of the road," he said, adding that they were looking at both the London and U.S. stock exchanges.
Ozon.ru was founded in 1998. It sells a range of 4 million goods in 14 categories. Its major shareholders are Baring Vostok Fund, Sistema and Mobile Telesystems .
