The entire retail market in Russia is growing more slowly in 2025. According to Rosstat, retail turnover increased by 2.4% in January–April, while a year earlier the growth rate was nearly four times higher — 10.9% in comparable prices, Rossiyskaya Gazeta reported on October 30, citing Stanislav Bogdanov, chairman of the presidium of the Association of Retail Trade Companies (AKORT).
Sales of many food products have declined. The sharpest drops were recorded in butter (–8.87%), vegetable oil (–2.61%), potatoes (–8.6%), and canned fish (–3.64%).
As early as May 2025, the growth of food sales slowed significantly, and physical volumes stopped increasing altogether — despite the highest inflationary pressure since October 2022. According to fiscal data operator Taxcom, in September–October 2025, sales of basic food products in physical terms fell by 5% compared to 2024. Analysts noted an 8% drop in milk sales, 9% in buckwheat, and 10% in rice.
T-Pay data also show that the number of supermarket purchases in January–September fell by 2% year-on-year. The slowdown in food sales this year is linked to consumers shifting to a more frugal spending model after a strong rebound in 2024, said Dmitry Leonov, deputy chairman of the Rusprodsoyuz association.
Experts from Kommersant noted that weakening consumer activity is becoming evident even in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) segment. Retail turnover continues to grow — but mainly due to rising prices and, consequently, higher average receipts.
According to NTech analytics director Leonid Ardalionov, the slowdown in food sales began as early as December 2024, when consumers started giving up product variety in favor of simpler and cheaper meals.
Previously, the trend was the opposite. “In 2023–2024, many people had extra money, and they redirected it toward food — because eating well is a pleasure, while expensive cars and watches remained out of reach for most,” Ardalionov said. He added that consumers are unlikely to be eating less; rather, they are spending more rationally — avoiding excessive purchases and looking for cheaper alternatives.
