Ozon Challenges Central Banks Allegations on Marketplace Discounts and Competition Dynamics

On Monday, the e-commerce leader Ozon dismissed claims of unfair competition following reports that Russia’s Central Bank had supported major banks in their push for limits on how online marketplaces encourage customers to utilize their financial services.

The business publication Kommersant reported that Central Bank Governor Elvira Nabiullina suggested prohibiting marketplaces from offering incentives to buyers who transact through their affiliated banks.

According to the report, Nabiullina stated that this practice provides platforms with an «inherent competitive advantage over other market participants,» referring to a letter she sent to Economic Development Minister Maxim Reshetnikov.

Ozon, one of the largest online sellers in Russia, described the Central Bank’s recommendation as «peculiar» and maintained that it ensures equal opportunities for all banks on its platform.

«We have engaged in discussions about providing equal access for all banks to our loyalty program with the [Central Bank],» the company told the state-operated RIA Novosti news agency, refraining from indicating whether a consensus had been reached.

The Economic Development Ministry informed Kommersant that it was reviewing Nabiullina’s suggestions but pointed out that existing Russian regulations governing platform economies already empower the government to establish pricing guidelines for online marketplaces. It also noted that any new limitations on loyalty programs would require analysis regarding their impact on sellers, consumers, and the overall digital economy.

Last month, Russia’s major banks, including Sber, VTB, and T-Bank, accused online marketplaces of hindering competition by linking discounts to their proprietary payment systems.

Sberbank’s CEO, German Gref, commented on Tuesday that such practices diminish tax revenues and grant online commerce platforms an unjust advantage over traditional retail stores.

Additionally, Nabiullina reportedly argued in her correspondence that marketplace prices should not be influenced by the payment method that customers opt for at checkout.

Meanwhile, e-commerce platforms have accused banks of attempting to limit competition as an increasing number of customers adopt financial services linked to marketplaces.

The Association of E-Commerce Companies, representing Wildberries, Ozon, and Yandex.Market, stated that banks have long employed card-linked cash-back and similar incentive programs within their own ecosystems without encountering similar scrutiny.

In its statement to RIA Novosti on Monday, Ozon mentioned that it was collaborating with 17 banks «to provide customers with even greater benefits.»