The economist stated the need for the state to be a "mediator" in the issue of marketplaces

The state should play the role of a "mediator" in the issue of relations between Russian traditional banks and marketplaces. Economist Maxim Chirkov told Izvestia about this on November 21.

"The state should and does play a very pragmatic role of mediator here. In order to maintain competition in the market between many players," he said.

The expert, commenting on the possible ban on digital trading platforms to provide customers with discounts when paying with cards of those credit and financial organizations that do not belong to them, stressed that the executive authorities should find a reasonable solution to this issue. Chirkov noted that only in this case Russians will be able to actually consume goods at minimum prices.

According to him, a "similar non-discriminatory" request from banks is legitimate, but if it is granted, marketplaces will have to inflate prices, effectively monetizing their existing traffic. He noted that the state currently has all the tools to prevent this.

Digital system: regulation of the platform economy will change in Russia

They are designed to protect the interests of all market participants and ensure its further growth

The founder of Wildberries (WB), a domestic online marketplace for the sale of goods of various categories, Tatiana Kim, said on the same day that the initiative from the heads of banks of the Russian Federation could lead to an increase in inflation. She noted that marketplaces have always been a socially responsible business that provided access to goods to residents of even the most remote corners of Russia.

On November 20, the press services of Wildberries and Ozon stated that the ban on investments in discounts and bonuses on marketplaces proposed by large banks could lead to an increase in the price of goods for millions of Russians. It was noted that discounts, bonuses and loyalty programs are an important tool for stimulating demand and active interaction with customers.

On the same day, the heads of Russian banks proposed banning direct discounts and bonus programs from marketplaces. At the same time, as specified in a letter sent by them to the chairman of the State Duma Vyacheslav Volodin, an exception is planned to be made for their own products of marketplaces and socially significant categories of goods.

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