GoodsFox Daily Insights – October 17, 2025: Russia’s E-commerce Market to Reach 14.7 Trillion Rubles as FMCG Sales Surge 41%
- Russia’s E-commerce Market Expands Rapidly, FMCG Leads the Growth
- U.S. Tariffs Push Prices Higher
- Lazada Thailand Updates Commission Rates Effective November 1
- U.S. Stocks Mixed as Chinese Stocks Gain; Fed Signals Economic Challenges
- Ozon Introduces New Return Policy for FBO Sellers
1. Russia’s E-commerce Market Expands Rapidly, FMCG Leads the Growth
Russia’s e-commerce market is projected to hit 14.7 trillion rubles by the end of 2025, marking a 30% YoY growth. The FMCG segment has become the key growth driver, with sales jumping 41% to 1.7 trillion rubles and total orders expected to exceed 1 billion.
Fast-growing categories include food, furniture, home goods, apparel, and footwear. Platforms such as Ozon, Pyaterochka, and Delivery Club dominate the FMCG field. Growth is driven by ecosystem integration, AI adoption, and improved customer experience.
Major players—Ozon, Wildberries, and Yandex Market—are now crucial for merchants looking to expand reach and build brand equity in Russia’s online retail landscape.
2. U.S. Tariffs Push Prices Higher
According to the Federal Reserve’s Beige Book published on October 15, prices rose across all U.S. districts from early September to mid-October, largely due to higher import tariffs.
The report highlights that rising costs in imports, insurance, healthcare, and tech services are driving faster input inflation. Many manufacturers and retailers have already passed these increased costs on to consumers.
3. Lazada Thailand Updates Commission Rates Effective November 1
Lazada Thailand announced new commission rate adjustments effective November 1, 2025, aiming to improve customer experience and support long-term cross-border business.
The base commission rate will rise by 1.5%, aligning with market standards. However, commissions for free shipping and premium packages will drop by 1%, helping sellers offer more competitive pricing.
Additionally, the minimum threshold for participating in Coins Discount programs will decrease by 1% to encourage wider seller participation and promote sustainable business growth.
4. U.S. Stocks Mixed as Chinese Stocks Gain; Fed Signals Economic Challenges
U.S. major stock indexes showed mixed results, while Chinese concept stocks outperformed. The Federal Reserve’s Beige Book noted stable economic activity but weak labor demand and rising prices.
Manufacturing faces pressure from tariffs and slowing demand, while consumer spending slightly declined. Lower- and middle-income households are shifting toward discount consumption.
Wages saw moderate growth, but cost pressure increased due to insurance and service expenses. The market now predicts a 97.3% probability of a Fed rate cut in October.
The delayed passage of the temporary funding bill caused a government shutdown, leading to data publication delays that may hinder the Fed’s policy decisions. Fed Chair Jerome Powell warned that the absence of October data makes economic evaluation significantly harder.
5. Ozon Introduces New Return Policy for FBO Sellers
Russian e-commerce giant Ozon implemented a new return policy on October 15, granting FBO sellers (those storing products in Ozon’s warehouses) more control over return requests.
Sellers can now approve, reject, or issue partial refunds within 24 hours. If no action is taken, the system automatically approves the return.
If a seller rejects a request, the buyer may open a dispute, and Ozon will make the final decision. Experts emphasize that this change aligns with consumer protection laws, ensuring buyers’ rights to return defective or misrepresented products.
The update aims to streamline internal processes, balance seller autonomy with consumer protection, and enhance platform trust.
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