Yandex.Lavka shutting operations in Paris, looks to more promising markets

MOSCOW. April 1 (Interfax) - Grocery delivery service Yango Deli, the international brand of Russia's Yandex.Lavka, is gradually winding down operations in Paris in order to focus its efforts on other, more promising markets, the company told Interfax.

"The decision on this was made back at the beginning of February. This was a pilot project with a small number of dark stores and it did not live up to our internal expectations," the company said.

Bloomberg, citing sources, reported on Thursday that Yango Deli is considering leaving the markets of France and the UK and is considering several options, including selling its business in London and closing the French division.

Yandex.Lavka told Interfax that in London, where the market for hyperlocal grocery delivery is fairly large and competitive, the company sees strong interest for its service from investors and competitors and is considering various options for further development.

"We already have experience developing the service with partners through franchising in other markets. Since launching, Yango Deli in London has been showing a very good dynamic. The average ticket and repeat customers are steadily growing, and another dark store opened in London on February 21. The service has added delivery of hot food, which competitors don't have," the company said.

Yandex.Lavka registered a legal entity in France in April 2021 and the project was launched in August. The service in the UK was launched in October 2021. The first foreign market that Yandex.Lavka entered was Tele Aviv, Israel in November 2020.