1. The Soviet Legacy: Shortages, Rationing, Queues

Before 1991, retail trade in the Uzbek SSR was part of a centralized planned system: assortment, prices, and supply volumes were determined not by demand but by the state plan. Chronic shortages of goods were the norm — many categories of goods (household appliances, furniture, quality clothing) were distributed through ration coupons, waiting lists, and closed supply channels for select groups of the population. To “obtain” a product was effectively synonymous with buying it. Private trade in the modern sense was virtually non-existent — the only legal alternative to state trade was collective-farm markets and consumer cooperatives, which sold mostly agricultural produce.

This shortage-based model defined the starting conditions from which the market would have to build itself from scratch after 1991.

2. The 1990s: Shock Privatization and the Rise of Spontaneous Trade

With the declaration of independence came the denationalization and privatization of trade enterprises — the state gradually handed retail outlets over to private owners. Yet full market liberalization took not years but decades: until 2017, the country pursued a policy of active protectionism and strict currency controls that limited free imports and competition.

Under these conditions, bazaars became the de facto core of the country’s consumer market — more flexible than directive state trade, quicker to adapt to shifts in supply and demand, and the main channel for both imported and domestically produced goods throughout the entire post-Soviet period.

3. The Bazaar as an Institution That Never Disappeared

Unlike many post-Soviet countries, where open-air and wholesale markets had largely lost ground by the 2010s, in Uzbekistan the bazaar remains a backbone format of trade. Chorsu in Tashkent is a market with more than two thousand years of history at the crossroads of the Great Silk Road; the Alaysky bazaar emerged on the site of traditional trading grounds where merchants from across the region had gathered for centuries. Both remain among the capital’s largest trading venues to this day.

Even in 2024–2025, according to INFOLine estimates, traditional trade (bazaars and unorganized retail) accounts for roughly 84–85% of the country’s retail turnover, against 13–16% for modern formats. By comparison, in neighboring Kazakhstan the share held by markets is lower — around 58%, while shopping malls hold about 30%. This is one of the key structural differences between Uzbekistan’s retail sector and the rest of Central Asia.

4. 1996–2016: The First Shoots of Modern Retail

The country’s first modern-format supermarket opened back in 1996 — Anglesey Food began operating as a neighborhood convenience-store chain, and in 2005 the chain was rebranded as Korzinka.uz (simply Korzinka since 2021). This is generally regarded as the starting point of modern chain retail in Uzbekistan.

Growth, however, was slow: strict currency controls limited chains’ ability to import equipment, goods, and technology. By 2010, a second major player had emerged — the Makro chain, which by 2018 had grown to 54 stores across 18 cities. But on the whole, until the mid-2010s, modern retail remained a niche phenomenon concentrated in Tashkent and aimed mainly at the middle class.

5. 2017: The Turning Point

Presidential Decree No. UP-5177 of 2 September 2017, “On Priority Measures for Liberalizing Currency Policy,” abolished the system of multiple exchange rates and introduced current-account convertibility. This decision became the key trigger for the entire subsequent retail boom: free access to foreign currency allowed businesses to directly import equipment, goods, and franchises, and allowed foreign chains to enter the Uzbek market without the previous currency barriers. The currency reform was followed by lower customs barriers (2017–2018), banking-sector reform, and a radical tax reform in 2019.

6. 2018–2024: The Chain-Retail and Shopping-Mall Boom

After liberalization, the market began growing at an explosive pace. According to Makro’s own data, modern retail grew by an average of 17% a year between 2015 and 2021. New players entered the market one after another:

• Magnum — Kazakhstan’s largest retailer, which opened its first hypermarket in Tashkent in December 2021;
• Havas and Baraka Market — new local chains that followed Korzinka and Makro onto the market;
• Fix Price — the Russian “fixed-price store” format, which by 2021 had opened 46 outlets in Tashkent with no direct competitors in its segment;

Alongside grocery retail, the shopping-mall market also saw explosive growth. A landmark project was Tashkent City Mall — the first venue in the country to host international brands such as Zara, H&M, Massimo Dutti, and Pull&Bear. According to CMWP Uzbekistan, new quality gross leasable area (GLA) added in Tashkent in 2024 totaled 478,500 square meters — 3.5 times more than in 2019 — while rental rates rose from $24 to $41 per square meter over five years.

7. Retail Today: The Numbers for 2025–2026

According to the National Statistics Committee, retail turnover in Uzbekistan for January–September 2025 reached 316.4 trillion soums (about $27.5 billion), up 11% in comparable prices. For the full year 2025, the figure reached 482.4 trillion soums — up 11.2% year on year. According to Infoline, in 2025 the combined retail turnover of all Central Asian countries exceeded $100 billion for the first time, with Uzbekistan’s retail growth rate outpacing both Kazakhstan and Russia.

The market’s structure, however, remains fragmented: as of 1 August 2025, there were 86,243 commercial retail trade enterprises in the country, of which only 352 were classified as large — the overwhelming majority of the market is made up of small businesses and private entrepreneurs (over 74% of turnover).

The share of modern trade (chain supermarkets, hypermarkets, shopping malls) rose from 6–8% in 2020–2021 to 13–16% in 2024–2025 — roughly doubling in five years — though by the standards of benchmark countries, Uzbekistan’s market still lags 10–15 years behind in modern-format penetration.

8. The Digital Revolution: E-Commerce and Fintech

While offline retail took three decades to transform, e-commerce in Uzbekistan is a story of the last five years. The e-commerce market grew from $201 million in 2021 to $543 million in 2023, while the number of online trading platforms rose from 36 in 2024 to 115 in 2025 — a 3.2-fold increase — with online sales turnover reaching 22.7 trillion soums and e-commerce’s share of total retail turnover climbing to 4.6%. The National Agency for Prospective Projects forecasts that combined marketplace turnover could reach $1 billion by 2027.

The key player has been the Uzum ecosystem, founded in 2022: for full-year 2025 its revenue reached $691 million and net profit $176 million, with roughly 20 million residents of the country using the holding’s services monthly. Russia’s Ozon entered the market in 2023, building out its own logistics infrastructure for local businesses; Wildberries, Yandex services, and food-delivery apps (Wolt, Yandex Eda) also maintain a strong presence. The number of self-employed individuals involved in online trade rose from 402,800 in 2024 to 514,900 in 2025.

E-commerce growth is closely tied to the expansion of cashless payments. Click, Payme, and Uzcard have in recent years become the basic infrastructure of everyday transactions, and Presidential Decree No. UP-246 of 10 December 2025 is explicitly aimed at further expanding cashless payments in trade, cafes, and services, with the goal of shrinking the shadow economy.

9. What This Means for Brands, Distributors, and Suppliers

The main practical takeaway for FMCG players: in Uzbekistan, modern, traditional, and online channels are not replacing one another — they coexist, and will continue to coexist for at least the next decade. The bazaar and small-format retail outlet remain the primary channel for reaching the population (over 80% of turnover), but it is modern trade and e-commerce that today deliver the fastest growth and the highest margins for brands. This makes multichannel distribution — simultaneous operation across Modern Trade, Traditional Trade, HoReCa, and e-commerce — not an option but a necessary condition for any manufacturer planning long-term growth in Uzbekistan.

10. Where the Market Is Heading

Three trends will define the next decade of Uzbek retail:

1. Gradual, not rapid, consolidation — the share of modern trade will likely continue growing by 1.5–2 percentage points a year, but the full displacement of bazaars is unlikely in the medium term, given demographics (population still growing at over 2% a year) and the price sensitivity of the mass consumer.
2. Accelerating digitalization — at current rates, e-commerce’s share of retail could rise from today’s ~4.6% to 10–15% within five years, while cashless payment volumes continue to grow amid regulatory pressure from the state.
3. Continued expansion by foreign chains — the arrival of Carrefour, Magnum, Fix Price, and Ozon over the past five years is unlikely to be the last wave: a growing market of nearly 38 million people with low penetration of modern formats remains an attractive growth opportunity for regional and global players.

Сообщение Independent Uzbekistan: How the Country’s Retail Market Has Changed Over 34 Years появились сначала на Balton Trading Asia.

Three temperature regimes for storage

Products are stored in separate zones according to the manufacturer’s requirements:

• Ambient storage — for groceries, beverages, canned goods, snacks, and other products that do not require refrigeration. Temperature, humidity, ventilation, and proper product segregation are controlled in these areas.
• Chilled storage — for products that must be kept at reduced positive temperatures. Even a short-term deviation from the required temperature may reduce a product’s shelf life.
• Frozen storage — for products requiring a stable sub-zero temperature, generally no higher than −18°C, unless otherwise specified by the manufacturer. It is important to prevent thawing and subsequent refreezing during storage.

The specific storage temperature is always determined by the product labelling and the manufacturer’s requirements.

Key storage requirements

Each temperature regime requires a dedicated and properly equipped storage area. This helps maintain stable conditions, ensure appropriate product segregation, and prevent cross-contamination.

Warehouse operations should include:

• continuous temperature monitoring and recording;
• control of shelf life and dispatch sequence;
• traceability of product batches;
• compliance with sanitary requirements;
• minimising the time products spend outside their designated temperature-controlled zones.

For products with a limited shelf life, the FEFO principle is applied: products with the earliest expiry dates are dispatched first.

Maintaining an uninterrupted cold chain

Temperature control does not end when products leave the warehouse. Chilled and frozen goods must also be transported under appropriate temperature conditions.

Balton Trading Asia uses refrigerated vehicles that maintain the required temperature throughout the delivery route. Storage and transportation therefore form a continuous cold chain — from receipt of the goods to their delivery to the retail outlet.

Balton Trading Asia capabilities

Balton Trading Asia has the infrastructure required for all three temperature regimes: ambient, chilled, and frozen storage.

The company’s refrigerated warehouse facilities are certified under the international FSSC 22000 scheme. This demonstrates a systematic approach to food safety management, process control, and product traceability.

Dedicated storage zones, continuous temperature monitoring, and refrigerated transport help preserve product quality throughout the entire journey to the retail outlet.

Сообщение Three temperature modes — one quality standard появились сначала на Balton Trading Asia.

According to forecasts, the retail market will grow from $11.7 billion to $16.8 billion by 2030, representing an increase of approximately 44%.

Traditional Trade Will Retain Its Leading Position

Despite the rapid expansion of retail chains, traditional outlets will continue to form the foundation of the market.

In 2024, the segment was valued at approximately $10.6 billion, and by 2030 it may reach $13.3 billion. Traditional trade is therefore expected to generate around 53% of the market’s total absolute growth.

The resilience of this format is explained by its broad coverage, proximity to consumers, and convenience for small, frequent purchases. Traditional retail will remain particularly important outside major cities.

Modern Retail Will Be the Fastest-Growing Segment

Modern retail is expected to show the highest growth rate. Its market size may increase from $1.1 billion to $3.5 billion, or by approximately 3.2 times.

Its share of the overall market could rise from 9.4% to 20.8%. This growth will be supported by the expansion of retail chains, the development of cashless payments, loyalty programs, delivery services, and rising consumer expectations regarding convenience and service quality.

However, modern retail is unlikely to replace traditional trade. Instead, consumers will continue using several channels at the same time: making larger purchases in supermarkets and buying everyday essentials from stores close to home.

What Does This Mean for Businesses?

For manufacturers and distributors, the main challenge will be to operate effectively in both channels at once.

In traditional trade, the key priorities will remain:

• broad retail coverage;
• stable deliveries;
• consistent availability of core SKUs;
• affordable packaging formats;
• control over product visibility and shelf presence.

In modern retail, greater importance will be placed on:

• category management;
• promotional campaigns;
• sales analytics;
• merchandising;
• joint planning with retailers.

Conclusion

By 2030, Uzbekistan’s retail market is expected to become significantly larger and more diverse. Traditional trade will retain its dominant position, while modern retail will grow much faster than the market average.

For companies, this means that those able to maintain broad coverage in traditional trade while developing a strong and high-quality presence in modern retail chains will gain the greatest competitive advantage.

Сообщение Uzbekistan’s Retail Market to Reach $16.8 Billion by 2030 появились сначала на Balton Trading Asia.

Сообщение Balton Trading — One of Uzbekistan’s Leading Ice Cream Distributors появились сначала на Balton Trading Asia.

The expansion of nationwide retail networks, new store formats, loyalty programs and digital shopping services is making Modern Trade one of the key drivers of the country’s FMCG market.

According to Balton Trading Asia’s market analysis, Uzbekistan’s organized retail sector is becoming increasingly concentrated around several major players that are shaping the future of Modern Trade.

The Three Largest Chains Dominate Modern Trade

Measured by the number of stores, the market is led by Olma, Havas and Korzinka. Together, these three retailers operate more than one thousand stores and account for approximately 74% of all outlets among the country’s largest Modern Trade chains.

However, the number of stores alone does not fully reflect market leadership.

Store Count Does Not Equal Market Leadership

The success of a retail chain depends on far more than physical expansion. Customer traffic, average basket size, assortment strategy, store format, digital services and loyalty programs all contribute to a retailer’s market position.

This is clearly illustrated by data published by Uzbekistan’s State Tax Committee on purchase receipts registered through the Soliq mobile application.

As of May 2026, Korzinka significantly outperformed other retail chains in the number of registered purchase receipts, while Olma and Havas, despite operating larger store networks, ranked second and third respectively.

This demonstrates that retail performance is driven not only by scale but also by customer engagement, operational efficiency and shopping experience.

Different Strategies for a Growing Market

Each leading retailer is pursuing its own growth strategy.

Olma focuses on extensive neighborhood coverage through a large network of convenience stores.

Havas continues expanding its discount format, targeting frequent everyday purchases.

Korzinka strengthens its position in the modern supermarket segment by emphasizing product assortment, customer service, digital innovation and loyalty programs.

Meanwhile, Makro, Assorti, Baraka, Daily (Fix Price) and Tegen continue expanding their presence across different regions of Uzbekistan.

The specialized retail segment is also growing rapidly. M Cosmetics, with more than one hundred stores, demonstrates the increasing importance of the beauty and drugstore category.

Modern Trade Is Becoming the Main Growth Engine for FMCG

The rapid development of organized retail is transforming how manufacturers and distributors build brands.

Modern retail chains now provide centralized purchasing, nationwide product launches, sales analytics, promotional platforms and retail media opportunities that were previously unavailable through traditional trade.

As Modern Trade continues to grow, brands increasingly require tailored strategies for each retail format, from supermarkets and discount stores to e-commerce and specialized retail.

Balton Trading Asia: More Than 30 Years of Retail Expertise

For more than 30 years, Balton Trading Asia has been helping international brands grow in Uzbekistan by partnering with the country’s leading retail chains.

With nationwide distribution, deep market expertise and extensive experience across all Modern Trade formats, the company supports manufacturers in building sustainable growth, expanding market presence and reaching consumers throughout Uzbekistan.

Understanding the evolving retail landscape remains one of the key success factors for brands entering and developing in Uzbekistan’s FMCG market.

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Methodology: This analysis was prepared by Balton Trading Asia based on publicly available information from retail chains, data published by the Tax Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and the company’s own industry expertise. Store-count figures reflect the scale of each retailer’s physical presence and should not be interpreted as an estimate of its share of total retail sales or market turnover.

Сообщение How Uzbekistan’s Modern Trade Market Is Shaped: An Overview of the Largest Retail Chains in 2026 появились сначала на Balton Trading Asia.

That is why HARIBO sampling has become an important part of brand promotion.

We organize sampling activities at supermarket openings, high-traffic retail locations, key public events, and special family-oriented dates — for example, June 1, International Children’s Day. These activations allow the brand to be present where its key audience is: families, children, young people, and shoppers looking for sweets that bring a good mood.

What does sampling bring to the brand?

1. Higher brand awareness
Consumers see the brand, try the product, and remember it through a positive emotion. HARIBO becomes part of a pleasant moment.

2. Stronger product trust
When shoppers taste the product on the spot, the purchase decision becomes easier — especially for those discovering the brand for the first time.

3. Sales support
Sampling works effectively near the shelf: consumers try the product and can immediately add it to their basket. This strengthens impulse purchases.

4. Emotional connection with the brand
HARIBO is about joy, childhood, family moments, and a light-hearted mood. Live activations communicate this feeling stronger than any banner.

5. Stronger retail presence
For supermarkets, such activities also create value: they generate extra traffic, make store openings more lively, and improve the customer experience.

HARIBO sampling shows that brand promotion is about real interaction with people. One small pack of gummies can become the first step toward awareness, loyalty, and future purchase.

HARIBO brings the emotion — and Balton Trading Asia helps deliver this emotion to consumers.

Сообщение HARIBO Sampling: Small Treats, Big Brand Impact появились сначала на Balton Trading Asia.

For international brands, this is a land of vast opportunities. For supply chain participants — a challenge of flexibility, speed, and accuracy.

A young country with growing needs

The key factor driving demand in Uzbekistan is its young and rapidly expanding population:

• The country’s population has exceeded 37 million people, with an increase of more than 10 million since 2016.

• 60% of residents are under 30 years old, with an average consumer age of 28.5 years.

• Urbanization stands at 48.14%, and the share of urban residents continues to grow, creating new points of sale and delivery.

This young consumer is highly mobile, price-sensitive, yet increasingly choosing well-known brands, convenience, and quality service. The figures confirm the trend:

• 64% of shoppers actively compare prices,

• 57% look for discounts and promotions,

• while interest in quality, organic products, and international brands is steadily increasing.

Trade specifics: a market at the crossroads of formats

Uzbekistan’s retail market still largely relies on traditional trade and bazaars, which account for up to 77% of turnover. However, the past eight years mark a turning point.

Today, the country is seeing rapid growth of:

• Local supermarket and minimarket chains: Korzinka, Olma, Baraka, TEGEN, and others.

• International formats: Havas (discounters, Turkey), Bi1 (Auchan Group), Fix Price, Magnit Cosmetic.

• New entrants: Galmart (Kazakhstan), Assorti, and others.

The number of modern stores has grown from 50 to over 1,000 in just a few years. This shift is transforming consumer habits — Uzbeks are increasingly shopping in modern retail outlets, where assortment, availability, merchandising, and branding play a decisive role.

E-commerce and the digital leap

Alongside offline retail, the e-commerce sector is booming. Market leaders — Uzum Market, Asaxiy, Bookzone, Goodzone — are investing in logistics, warehousing infrastructure, and omnichannel solutions. Uzum already operates 900+ pick-up points, while marketplace turnover is growing by around 15% annually.

In 2025, international players entered the market:

• Yandex.Market — developing a marketplace model with full logistics and delivery points.

• Yandex.Lavka — testing the darkstore model and express grocery delivery.

This has intensified competition and significantly raised requirements for distribution and logistics: speed, accuracy, temperature control, flexible routing, and online-channel support have become critical.

What brands need to know when entering the market

1. Product and packaging adaptation
   Uzbek consumers pay attention to packaging design, local language, promotions, and discounts. Products without localization lose competitiveness on the shelf.

2. Flexibility and coverage
   The country is highly segmented — both by regions and sales channels. One-size-fits-all approaches don’t work for Tashkent, the Fergana Valley, or Nukus.

3. Distribution and logistics as key to success
   A reliable supply chain, supported by IT systems and strong distributor knowledge, is essential. Even powerful brands cannot scale without precise delivery and sales point control.

4. Growth of healthy and certified products
   Demand for healthy lifestyles, organic food, and internationally certified goods is rising, especially in urban areas and among women aged 25–40.

Uzbekistan — the market of the future: young, digital, and fast-changing

This is a territory with a dense youth audience, strong brand trust, growing purchasing power, and a pursuit of convenience. The market is being shaped right now — and now is the time to capture a significant share by understanding its structure, challenges, and growth drivers.

Сообщение Uzbekistan — one of the fastest-growing markets in Central Asia появились сначала на Balton Trading Asia.

Darkstore – a store without customers

To understand how Lavka works, let’s start with a term that sounds like something from the IT world, but in fact it is a real revolution in retail. Darkstore is a warehouse store without customers. There are no counters, music or cash registers. This is the place where orders are formed: couriers receive them through the app, and darkstore employees collect everything from the list.

At the moment, there are already three darkstores in Tashkent, but not all users have access to Lavka in the Yandex Go app. This is due to the unique concept of the service: Lavka should become a replacement for the refrigerator, freeing customers from the need to keep large stocks of food at home. Instead, you can order fresh groceries, ready-made meals and drinks every day. Currently, the delivery zone covers those parts of the city where three darkstores are already operating, but the plans for the future are impressive: by the end of 2025, 12 darkstores will appear in Tashkent, that is, in almost every district of the city.

On the shelves of dark stores, there is everything from fresh fruit and sausages to milkshakes and hot burgers, which are prepared right here in the dark kitchen. All this is created so that the client can get everything they need in a matter of minutes without going to the store.

What is our role?

And now to the most interesting part: what do Lavka and BTA have in common? Everything!

We are the very same gray cardinals who ensure the smooth operation of dark stores.

Our modern warehouses are the heart of this system. Thoughtful logistics, a high level of automation and a professional team allow us to guarantee stable deliveries to dark stores. Every day we monitor stocks, send transport with goods, control quality and maintain an ideal balance of products on the shelves.

And, of course, our principle works here: “Value the client, he pays our wages”. For us, these are not just words, but the basis of our work.

Technology, people and a bit of magic

The launch of Lavka is a symbiosis of technology, human labor and competent organization of processes. Artificial intelligence analyzes data to predict demand, couriers deliver orders by bicycle, and our employees do everything to ensure that customers receive only the best.

Thanks to the competent expansion of the network and the use of innovative solutions, delivery will become even faster, the range will be even wider, and the processes will be even more convenient for customers.

For Lavka customers, this is an opportunity to order everything they need directly to their home in a matter of minutes. And for us, at BTA, this is a challenge that we accepted with joy. We do everything to make life in Uzbekistan more convenient, tastier and more modern!

So, if next time your order from Lavka arrives at your door in just

15 minutes, remember: your well-coordinated work is behind it!

Сообщение Yandex Lavka in Tashkent: Secrets of Dark Stores and the Role of BTA появились сначала на Balton Trading Asia.