Russia's X5 retailer to launch online pharmaceutical marketplace

Russia's X5 retailer to launch online pharmaceutical marketplace
Russia's leading retailer X5 Group and Santens Service Group will set up an online pharmacy / wiki
By bne IntelliNews June 20, 2019

Russia's leading retailer X5 Group and Santens Service Group will set up an online pharmaceutical marketplace on the basis of Perekrestok.ru online store, the companies announced.

The online store apteka.perekrestok.ru will allow the customers to collect orders at about 1,400 newly-opened pharmacy pick-up points in X5’s stores. X5 has already arrangements to open 1,400 pharmacy pick-up points. In the partnership, Santens will take care of the supply chain.

"The project’s logistics will be fully provided by Santens, so X5 does not have to invest in supply chain logistics, while from the other hand in future the project may help in raising traffic in the stores by pick-up points network," BCS Global Markets commented on June 20, seeing the news as neutral for X5 shares.

BCS GM has a Buy recommendation on X5 with a target price of $37 implying an upside of 15%.

Last month X5 continued to expand its online retail capabilities, teaming up with Courier Service Express (KSE) to deliver online orders to X5 stores Pyaterochka, Perekrestok, and Karusel, as well as door-to-door grocery deliveries.

Previously in February 2019 X5 announced plans to develop a parcel lockers network via a joint venture with Pickpoint, Russia's largest operator of parcel lockers and pick-up points.

X5 is in intense rivalry with its largest competitor Magnit and smaller retailers. As Russian supermarket chains are running up against the limits to growth, X5 has stepped up its investments in online retailing solutions.

Magnit has also invested in (physical) pharmacy assets, in 2018 finalising the acquisition of 100% of pharmaceutical wholesaler and distributor SIA Group, but the move was unpopular with analysts.

 

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