President of Russia Vladimir Putin held a working meeting with the Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov and discussed with him the sphere of trade, as well as measures to control the quality of products supplied to the consumer market.

Mr. Manturov spoke about the current state of affairs, in particular about the increase in trade turnover by 2.7% and about the role of network retail in the country's economy. According to him, at the moment, almost a third of the total sales volume falls on network retail, which has a considerable impact on pricing. The minister denied rumors about the excess profits of network companies:according to him, the average retail profitability of companies increases by 2.5%, in network companies - from 4% to 10%. Thus, the difference is not so great. At the same time, the potential for the development of Russian trade, according to Mr. Manturov, has not yet been exhausted. For example, there are approximately 800 square meters of retail space per 1,000 people in Russia, which is almost twice less than in European countries.

In order to use all possible reserves, the Government has submitted to the State Duma a bill on non-stationary and delivery trade. It will make it possible to consider not only non-stationary, but also mobile retail outlets, despite the fact that previously only kiosks were taken into account here.

The Minister also noted Internet commerce as one of the fastest growing segments:In the last few years, it has been growing by 10% per year and last year it already amounted to more than a trillion rubles. According to expert data, the segment may well triple over the next four years.

During the meeting, we discussed the quality of products, including the regulatory framework created in this area and the reduction of the share of counterfeit, counterfeit and illegal products. According to analysts, in three years in the light industry, this share has fallen by 10%. The development of Roskachestvo also contributes to the reduction of goods with low consumer properties. This independent institute has conducted research on four thousand product names over the past three years. Among other things, thanks to these studies, the problems of violations of school uniforms have been solved.

The Minister associates further increase in retail transparency with the improvement of the labeling system. Now fur products have been marked without fail for two years. Medicines, shoes and tobacco are marked experimentally. By 2020, the Government plans to introduce mandatory labeling for 12 items, and by 2024 to cover almost all mass-demand goods.

The President approved the planned measures and the tasks announced by Mr. Manturov for the industry.

Source: official website of the President of the Russian Federation