The economist pointed out the violation of competition when banning discounts on marketplaces

Excessive demands by banks on marketplaces disrupt competition, and in a dispute between the financial and trading sectors, consumers may become the main victims. On December 3, Georgy Ostapkovich, scientific director of the HSE Center for Market Research, told Izvestia.

According to the expert, banks have not been able to successfully integrate into the growing online trading market, the volume of which has grown by 32% in the first nine months of 2025 and reached 8.2 trillion rubles.

"Banks' demands on marketplaces are excessive. <...> If discounts are banned on marketplaces, competition is disrupted, this is a fact," the expert said.

He noted that the banks themselves have loyalty programs that encourage the use of their products. The expert called on the Central Bank and the Ministry of Economic Development to gather the opinions of all parties and develop a common concept of competition regulation in order to protect the interests of consumers.

Cash discrimination: adjustment of the law after a dispute over discounts on marketplaces may be postponed

The conflict between banks and online platforms forced the Central Bank to listen to both sides, and public figures refuted all the arguments of financiers.

On November 20, the heads of Russian banks made a proposal to ban direct discounts and bonus programs for marketplaces. An exception is planned to be made for proprietary products of marketplaces and socially significant product categories.

Later, VTsIOM published an opinion poll, according to which two thirds of Russians consider the initiative to ban discounts on marketplaces unfair. Most believe that the disappearance of discounts will inevitably lead to higher prices, worsen conditions for millions of customers and negatively affect small and medium-sized businesses.

In turn, Wildberries (WB) founder Tatiana Kim said on November 21 that marketplaces have always been a socially responsible business, and approval of this initiative could lead to higher inflation. Lawyer Andrey Alyoshkin noted that the initiative to ban marketplaces from using loyalty programs is illegal.

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