Chain retailing: Interregional differences and the role of foreign companies in their occurrence

Abstract

This article analyzes the differences between Russian regions in the role of chain retailing in retail turnover and identifies various factors of these differences (remoteness from the European Russia, low transport availability, the nature of foreign economic relations with neighboring countries, the complexity of the social and political situation, low income, peculiarities of administrative division, and natural climatic conditions seem significant). The main characteristic features of the largest chain companies are examined, including their geographic origins. The distinguishing features of the Far East are identified, which is a lack of interest in the region from the largest retail chains together with a relatively high level of development of regional chains. In relation to foreign businesses, it is shown that their role among the leading Russian retailers is relatively insignificant and will decrease. However, foreign companies continue to be important in the development of relatively new trade formats in Russia. It is concluded that foreign retailers will not contribute to the decrease in municipal differentiation in the development of chain retailing due to the lack of interest in the neighborhood store format.