Food Market in Russia: Choosing a New Path

DOI: 10.33917/es-2.206.2026.98-107

This paper analyzes structural changes in the Russian food market in the context of transformation of modern business models. It puts forward the concept of alpha business — a type of corporate organization based on control over high-quality resources and the entire value chain, as well as access to consumers. It is shown that the current stage of economic development is characterized by competitive struggle’s shift from mechanisms based primarily on property institutions and market exchange to control over the infrastructure, logistics and information resources. Using the example of food retail, the author examines formation of integrated corporate systems that allow to coordinate production, distribution and consumer demand. It is concluded that development of such structures tends to form a new development trajectory of the consumer market and transforms the institutional architecture of the food industry.

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