At the same time, Merlion distribution company noted that Russian consumers might face price increases due to ruble rate drop.
MOSCOW, March 20. /TASS/. The stocks of electronics accumulated by retailers allow maintaining stable prices for equipment in the conditions of the ruble rate drop and the spread of coronavirus, TASS was informed by companies.
"We are fully prepared for growing demand; we created inventories at the end of 2019 and early 2020, deliveries from China quickly recovered. Inventories allow us to meet current demand and, as far as possible, minimize price increases associated with the weakening of the ruble," the M.Video-Eldorado group said. “So far, we have been able to contain prices,” the company added.
The press service of the Svyaznoy company, in turn, said that they "did not receive official messages from partners about increasing the cost of production" and have a sufficient number of product stocks.
The General Director of the diHouse distribution company (part of the Lanit group of companies), Yuri Rodny, also noted that "a change in rate should not affect the cost of products that sellers now have." "Traditionally, foreign exchange risks are assumed by either producers or distributors. After the retailer receives the goods, the exchange rate is fixed," he explained.
When you can expect a price increase
Merlion distributor company noted that despite production recovery in China and stocks of equipment at the warehouses of companies, Russian consumers might face price increases due to ruble rate drop, for example, for smartphones, as early as in the second quarter of this year. According to the results of the year, the overall decrease in the turnover of equipment in Russia, according to the company expert Tatyana Skokova, may reach “at least 20%”.
"Unfortunately, the crisis has also added to the situation with coronavirus, and the ruble drop changes the situation. Inevitable price increases, resulting in drop in demand," said Konstantin Dessler, Distribution Director for the Household Appliances and Electronics division of Merlion.
“I think we can expect stagnation in the market as a whole,” says diHouse CEO.
All news
