‘Lack of one’s own logistics complex makes transporting and keeping of goods very expensive, but very few companies actually offer such services to grocery retailers,’ says CEO of Alliance Non-Commercial Partnership Alexei Podolyako.

‘The regional retailers’ major challenge lies not in the lack of storage space (though it’s an issue, too) but in the need for a full set of services related to goods transfer,’ he observes.

‘Retailers find it appealing to buy storage facilities, but more people actually rent them since it’s rather expensive to buy a storehouse, or it may belong to the city council, which means no quick privatization may be expected.’