Russian e-commerce platform Wildberries is moving to bolster its presence in Kazakhstan as the company faces persistent drone strikes on its facilities across Russia. On August 4, Arman Shakkaliyev, the Kazakhstani Minister for Trade and Integration, confirmed that the company intends to develop 260,000 square meters of new storage space, divided between the cities of Astana and Almaty. This expansion represents an eightfold increase over the company's existing 46,000 square meters of leased space in the country.
The strategic shift follows a volatile July, during which Wildberries endured over 20 attacks on its Russian logistical hubs. These incidents have had a direct impact on Kazakh sellers, who have reported losing approximately $3.2 million worth of inventory. Current estimates suggest that total losses across Wildberries’ Russian hubs could climb as high as $3.37 billion. While the company is reportedly searching for an additional 100,000 square meters of space, industry analysts note that the planned Kazakh facilities, which are not expected to be completed until 2027, will not be sufficient to offset the loss of over 1 million square meters of capacity sustained during the recent attacks.
The ongoing instability has prompted a shift in sentiment within Central Asia. Minister Shakkaliyev has publicly encouraged Kazakh citizens to prioritize domestic e-commerce platforms like Kaspi for both buying and selling goods rather than relying on foreign alternatives. This shift is already visible among regional manufacturers, with Kyrgyz clothing producers expressing interest in moving to Kazakh platforms to better protect their inventory. Similarly, many Kazakh sellers are evaluating alternatives in Kazakhstan or Uzbekistan, though concerns remain regarding continued access to the Russian market.
Other industry players are also adjusting to the current environment; the Russian e-commerce firm OZON began taking similar precautions in early August by relocating high-value goods away from vulnerable logistical hubs. While the future development of new centers in Kazakhstan may enhance Wildberries' regional role, the long-term impact on the company remains uncertain, depending largely on how the firm manages its inventory and its overall organizational stability in the coming years.
