Sergei Bakeshin has commented for the Kommersant on X5 Retail Group exceeding market share limit

Sergei Bakeshin - Counsel

According to preliminary estimates of experts of the Federal Antimonopoly Service, the biggest Russian retailer X5 Retail Group may increase its market share in StPetersburg up to 30%. However, the law on trade prohibits retail chains from renting or acquiring additional space when they reach a 25% share within the boundaries of a region or municipality, but leaves the possibility to replace retail facilities within closed areas. In 2019, for example, X5 Retail Group expanded its market share to 27% by acquiring 18 O’Kay supermarkets and getting some space from the outgoing Food Exchange retail holding.  

Sergei Bakeshin, senior associate at Maxima Legal, told the Kommersant newspaper that exceeding the threshold of 25% would not by itself breach the antimonopoly law and does not impose an obligation on the retailer to close shops or cut its sales.

To read the full article (in Russian), please see the Kommersant newspaper website >>>