Russian E-Commerce Platform Warehouses Repeatedly Attacked, Traditional Retailers Also Unsettled

Since July 18, warehouses of Wildberries, Russia's largest online retailer, have been repeatedly attacked by Ukrainian drones. From August 2 to 5, Wildberries' warehouses were hit consecutively, with the latest attack occurring in Tula Oblast, Russia.

Meanwhile, Ozon, Russia's second-largest online retailer, stated that it was forced to evacuate due to alerts over Ukrainian drone attacks.

The increasing risks facing Russia's domestic logistics infrastructure are compelling traditional Russian retailers to reevaluate their cooperation with suppliers.

Red & White, one of Russia's largest fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) retailers, attempted to follow e-commerce platforms by sending proposals to suppliers requesting exemption from liability for compensating destroyed goods under force majeure events such as drone attacks.

However, suppliers reacted negatively, and Red & White withdrew the proposal on August 3.

Additionally, some Russian retail chains hope that suppliers will deliver goods directly to their stores or distribution centers. This approach could reduce risks when retailers' logistics facilities are disrupted.

Experts warn that direct supplier-to-store deliveries could lead to higher costs and increased retail prices.

Chinese foreign traders are not spared either. 'We suffer losses every day; on bad days, we lose tens of thousands of yuan (RMB),' said Yao Dong, a children's clothing exporter from Zhejiang. They hold hundreds of thousands of yuan worth of apparel inventory across multiple Wildberries warehouses in Russia.

Since the first drone attack in the early hours of July 18, they have been bombed seven times in the past two weeks, losing approximately 80,000 yuan. After the damage, Yao Dong quickly launched discount promotions and adjusted shipping methods.