Russia's biggest electronics chain delays seller payments as it expands online
Russia's largest electronics retailer M.Video is delaying payments to independent sellers on its expanding online marketplace, with some vendors waiting months to be paid.
M.Video, Russia's largest electronics retail chain, is expanding its online presence, including growing a marketplace model in which independent third-party sellers offer products alongside the company's own inventory.
Under this arrangement, customers pay for their purchases directly to M.Video, which is then responsible for forwarding the corresponding payment to the seller who actually supplied the item. According to reports, however, a number of independent sellers have experienced significant delays in receiving these payments, with some having to wait months before funds arrived.
Such delays create financial strain on smaller merchants, many of whom rely on marketplace sales as a significant or even primary source of income. Timely settlement is essential for these sellers to maintain operations and restock inventory.
M.Video remains one of the leading players in Russia's consumer electronics and home appliance retail sector. Its push toward a broader online and marketplace-based business model reflects a wider industry trend, as traditional retailers seek to compete with major e-commerce platforms by expanding their product range through third-party sellers.
