Several leading household appliance makers are tightening controls on selling their goods to Russia through parallel imports, a development reported by Kommersant. The move involves Electrolux, Tefal, Braun, and Rowenta, along with partners in different countries, shifting toward a moratorium on re-exporting electronic items into the Russian market. Sergei Li, chief executive of the M.Video-Eldorado group, noted that Electrolux products are now available only within a more limited range across the retailer network. This signals a broader recalibration of how and where foreign brands move products into Russia, especially through third-party channels that bypass official distribution.
Earlier, the Ministry of Industry and Trade updated the List of parallel imported goods and clarified which items fall under protection of foreign intellectual property rights. The revised list highlights brands involved in pumps, fans, and compressors including Soler & Palau, Vortice, and Air System, as well as equipment used in mining and construction such as Dewalt, Epiroc, and Husqvarna, in addition to cosmetics, fragrances, and apparel. This adjustment suggests a wider reduction of parallel import channels for certain product categories, while leaving room for others to operate under previous frameworks. The changes reflect a strategy to balance access for consumers with intellectual property protections and brand controls, a trend observed by industry observers in collaboration with regulatory authorities. (Source: Kommersant)
In the early part of 2023, a study indicated that only about 14% of small and medium-sized enterprises anticipated focusing on parallel imports. The findings pointed to a strategic shift toward alternative approaches to import substitution, with many firms seeking different sourcing models for materials and finished goods in the region. The trend underscores how firms weigh cost, reliability, and risk when choosing between parallel channels and conventional import routes. (Source: Industry survey report)
Automobile dealers who previously acquired vehicles for the Russian market via parallel imports began lowering prices on models such as the Volkswagen Teramont and the Citroën C5 Aircross. This pricing move reflects competitive pressure driven by changes in supply chains and evolving import policies. More broadly, the landscape shows a gradual tightening of import routes for consumer electronics and household products as multinational brands reassess their exposure to the Russian market. They respond to regulatory shifts, reputational considerations, and the need to manage cross-border distribution more precisely. The outcome is a mix of price adjustments, altered channel strategies, and a slower pace for parallel trade across multiple sectors, as observed by industry experts and officials. (Source: Market analysis commentary)