Page 5 - bne_Tech_04_2019

Leaders
April 2019 www.intellinews.com I Page 5
Russian Post to increase shipments from China by 15-20%
Russian Post (Pochta Rossii) plans to expand the frequency and coverage of cargo flights to China, potentially increasing the turnover by 15-20%, Vedomosti daily reported on March 4 citing the representatives of the company.
At the end of 2018 Russian Post said it will boost e-commerce infrastructure in 34 Russian cities and open express delivery channels from China, speeding up deliveries from two-three weeks to one week, and in 18-24 months to up to three days.
China accounts for over 90% of incoming interna- tional parcels and cargo shipments, most of which is e-commerce. In 2018 the number of shipments from China to Russia increased by 26% to 320mn on about two to five cargo weekly flight by the Russian Post. The Post has about 90% share in the
delivery of foreign e-commerce outlets to Russia.
Russia's VTB Bank is affiliated with Russian Post and along with country's largest Sberbank is the main financial anchors for e-commerce develop- ment in Russia. VTB is also one of the sharehold- ers in Magnit retail chain, and cooperation with the Russian Post was seen as a possible platform for Magnit in expanding into online retail.
Magnit's main rival and the market leader X5 Group has recently been actively rolling out online retail and digital initiatives. Last year's reports suggested that X5 Group is in direct talks with China Post on developing alternative delivery routes for goods from China. Reportedly the initia- tive seeks to leverage X5’s logistics platforms and in-store parcel lockers and pick-up points.
AliExpress to start selling cars in Russia
Chinese online retailer AliExpress is to launch sales of cars in Russia teaming up with Chinese carmaker Chery, Kommersant daily reported on March 5 citing the representatives of the company.
Cross-over models Chery Tiggo 3, 4, 5 and 7, as well as accessories and spare parts will be for sale on AliExpress, with the line of available car brands and models to be expanded in the future. Notably, Chery Avtomobili Rus plans to eventually start assembly of the vehicles in Russia.
Currently Chinese brands account for only 2% of total car sales in Russia, with Chery Tiggo 3 be-
ing the third most popular Chinese model behind Lifan with about 3,000 units sold.
The sale of new cars grew for the second year in
a row in 2018 after nearly five years of contraction, the Association of European Businesses (AEB) reported on January 14.
In 2017, the new car market grew by 12%, and
in 2018 by 13% to 1.8mn vehicles. The sales of passenger cars and light commercial vehicles in Russia in 2019 will grow by 3.6% to 1.87mn units, according to AEB.