The government is moving toward a requirement that Russian-made equipment be stocked as a minimum on online platforms. This shift, reported by a major Russian business daily, points to new rules being considered and discussed by market insiders. The exact product names for the mandated minimum have not yet been finalized, but the policy is expected to target categories with broad local production capacity. In particular, large household appliances appear to be a key focus due to the strong representation of Russian manufacturers there. Items such as refrigerators, freezers, stoves, and washing machines are highlighted as likely candidates for the initial minimum shelf presence.
In early May, discussions intensified around a proposed bill on the so-called “Russian regiment”, prepared by deputies affiliated with United Russia and submitted to the government in October of the previous year. A notable feature of the proposal would require marketplaces to display the first 50 lines of search results for Russian or Belarusian goods, aligning online visibility with the broader policy goals. This emphasis on domestic supply aligns with efforts to bolster local production and reduce reliance on imports in strategic consumer categories.
Recent data also show a notable rise in purchases of Chinese household appliances by Russian consumers since January, increasing by nearly half compared with the same period previously. This trend underscores the complexities of supply chains, pricing, and consumer preferences that can shift in response to policy cues and market availability. The broader context includes a history of Russians turning to credit for household needs, a pattern which interacts with changing product availability and brand choices across borders. Observers note that the evolving regulatory landscape could influence how households evaluate home appliances and where they source them from, especially as domestic production capacities are meant to be strengthened.