The economist questioned the possibility of banks banning discounts on marketplaces

The initiative from the heads of Russian banks to ban marketplaces from investing in discounts and bonus programs is unlikely to be easily implemented. This was stated on November 21 in an interview with Izvestia by economist Igor Didenko.

"It is absolutely not a fact that banks will achieve their goals so quickly and easily. Still, the issue here is more political. <...> Well, the state, of course, is the final arbiter, which in any case must establish the most fair rules for everyone," he said.

The economist, speaking about the importance of preventing the manifestation of monopoly in any form, noted that online platforms for the sale of goods at retail play a very significant social role.

Marketplaces, as Didenko explained, provide products of different categories at a better price than other sellers. Therefore, the introduction of a ban may be "not very good news" for consumers.

The era of contracts: retail has proposed to create an institution of self-regulation

The Ministry of Industry and Trade proposed to create an institute for self-regulation in trade

On November 21, Wildberries (WB) founder Tatiana Kim, commenting on the ban on investments in discounts and bonuses on marketplaces proposed by large banks, called this initiative a "non-market way" to limit the development of trading platforms. The entrepreneur clarified that supporting this project could have long-term negative consequences for the Russian economy, as well as accelerate inflation.

The head of the Central Bank of Russia, Elvira Nabiullina, speaking at a meeting in the State Duma on October 28, called the discounts provided by digital trading platforms a hidden form of competition. She added that this "acute" issue of potentially "unfair" competition was discussed with both banks and marketplaces.

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