Retail chains reduced alcohol imports by 60-100% in two months

As Interfax writes, referring to the Association of Retail Companies, which unites X5 Retail Group, Magnit, Lenta, etc., the import of sparkling wines from Champagne has been completely stopped, the supply of whiskey has decreased by 70%, and French cognac and foreign beer.

The range of foreign alcoholic beverages in federal networks fell by 40-95%. Sparkling wines from Champagne decreased in assortment by 95%, whiskey and French cognac - by half, imported beer - by 40%, other categories fell in assortment by 35%. At the same time, purchase prices for foreign alcohol have increased by 27-40% since February this year. In terms of goods, the growth was 70%.

Retailers are waiting for the reduction of the remaining range of imported alcohol in the next three months by 40-50%. Igor Karavayev, chairman of the AKORT presidium, said that "parallel import of brands that have left the market is the best solution in the current situation." This will help make up for the assortment losses of retail chains and keep consumer-familiar products on the shelves at reasonable prices, especially during the period of high demand during the winter holidays.

A decrease in the range of alcohol due to the departure of popular brands will lead to a reduction in competition in the category, which means it will provoke a rise in purchase prices.

It should be noted that the list of goods for parallel imports includes wine, sparkling wines, cognac, whiskey, liqueurs, etc., Bacardi, Captain Morgan, Chivas, Absolut, Baileys, Ballantine's, about 90 brands). If the list is approved, parallel imports of products from manufacturers such as Diageo, Beam Suntory, Edrington, William Grants & Sons, Bacardi, Pernod Ricard, Brown Forman, LVMH will be allowed.

Recall that AKORT sent proposals to the government with a request to allow the parallel import of a number of branded alcoholic beverages. The reason for the appeal is the withdrawal of a number of foreign alcohol producers from the Russian market against the backdrop of a military special operation. Now Russian distributors are working with the remnants of alcoholic beverages of famous brands.