At present, the regulatory landscape in Russia for online marketplaces shows no urgent tightening of anti-monopoly oversight. Industry observers note that the sector possesses ample resources to guide self-regulation from within, and this stance is echoed by representatives of the press service of TASS and by officials from the Ministry of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media (Mintsifry). The dialogue emphasizes that the market can manage competition issues without immediate external tightening, relying on industry norms and voluntary standards to address disputes and fairness among participants.
On 24 March, the Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) signaled that the online retailer Wildberries should establish an internal arbitration mechanism to resolve disputes between vendors. This directive followed a dispute linked to a mass walkout by pick-up point owners following the introduction of new fines for staff at the pickup locations. The move reflects the government’s interest in ensuring clear dispute resolution channels within marketplaces, while avoiding broad external regulation that could constrain the ecosystem. The development was reported as a response to friction across the network of fulfillment centers and seller partners.
Subsequently, the Ministry of Industry and Trade forwarded a letter to Maksut Shadayev, head of the Ministry of Digital Development, proposing an adjustment to exclude marketplaces from the scope of a decree that limits antimonopoly oversight on accredited IT firms. Yet, a member of the Industry and Trade commission reportedly rejected this attempt by Alexei Kozhevnikov to carve out space for self-regulation within electronic commerce. The discussion underscored how marketplaces are categorized as IT enterprises and why any deviation from a unified regulatory framework is viewed with caution by policymakers, who prefer a consistent approach across digital platforms and vendor partnerships.
“Marketplaces are IT companies. It is inappropriate to remove them from the governing decree,” stated the press service of the Ministry of Digital Development. The message highlighted that industry self-regulation has proven effective in addressing issues that arise in relationships between marketplaces and their partners, particularly through cooperative standards and transparent practices rather than heavy-handed regulation. This stance reflects a broader trend toward voluntary governance mechanisms that align incentives for sellers, platform operators, and the end customers alike.
By 22 March, the Telegram channel With reference to Baza’s sources, rumors circulated that Wildberries was engaging in talks with owners of pickup points involved in the strike about fines imposed on workers. In a parliamentary session, Wildberries representatives pledged to lift blockades at affected pickup points and to cancel the fines that had accrued. They also indicated a plan to shift some penalties into a staggered system where the first violation would not trigger immediate punishment, signaling a move toward more measured enforcement and a path to restoring operational harmony within the fulfillment network. The unfolding dialogue illustrates the ongoing tension between platform control and partner autonomy, and it suggests a preference for balancing enforcement with pragmatic concessions that help maintain service levels for customers. [Source: press briefings and policy reports cited in industry coverage]