Kazakhstanis should not focus solely on the lowest prices offered by foreign marketplaces when shopping online, but should instead choose domestic platforms, reports infohub.kz.
Minister of Trade and Integration Arman Shakkaliev, commenting on the situation with the Russian marketplace Wildberries, emphasized that buyers often base their decisions on the cost of goods, but a price significantly below market value should raise questions. He called for "economic patriotism" and urged preference for Kazakhstani marketplaces, whose share is currently high.
According to the minister, the key advantage of ordering on domestic platforms is guaranteed delivery of goods. He advised choosing marketplaces that inspire trust and monitoring the overall situation to ensure the platform reliably delivers the product.
Shakkaliev noted that when ordering on Kazakhstani marketplaces, consumers are protected by local legislation and regulations.
When asked about potential damage to Kazakhstani entrepreneurs following drone attacks on Wildberries warehouses, the minister was unable to give an exact figure, explaining that neither the ministry nor, likely, the platform itself has final data, as the situation is evolving daily.
He also said that Wildberries has not officially approached the Ministry of Trade with a request to provide warehouses in Kazakhstan.
Earlier, Kommersant, citing four industry sources, reported that Wildberries had begun searching for vacant warehouse space totaling 100,000 square meters in Kazakhstan. The marketplace is ready to occupy all available warehouses in the country, where part of the goods from sellers of the RWB group (which develops Wildberries) could be redirected. Meanwhile, Russian warehouse owners are not willing to lease to Wildberries due to high risks, whereas in Kazakhstan the company is ready to rent all available space, given the limited supply.