In the period from January to March 2026, 209 thousand small and medium-sized businesses closed in Russia, which is almost 9% more than during the same period in 2025, Forbes wrote, citing data from the service. In total, there are 6.9 million such companies in Russia.
Retail trade, beauty salons and restaurants are suffering the most, according to experts interviewed by the newspaper. The main reasons are higher prime interest rate, lower purchasing power, increased competition and higher taxes.
According to Forbes interlocutors, up to 40% of clothing stores in Russia may be closed in 2026 due to reduced traffic in shopping centers and increased competition with markets. 13 fashion brands He can Leaving the market including Zenden (closed 130 points out of 230), European (Found Bankruptcy file of two legal entities (Modis)foot bankruptcy filing).
Some companies, although reducing the number of their offline locations, are not preparing for a complete shutdown, but are working to improve their business. Among them, Forbes lists the fashion brand O`Stin (closed 62 stores last year), food retailer “VkusVill” (closed barely 300 stores) and the cosmetics store “L’Etoile” (closed 50 and plans for another 150).
The number of catering establishments is also declining. Companies are reducing rental costs and looking for more profitable locations. This is happening against the backdrop of declining demand, declining restaurant traffic, competition with grocery chains, including prepared food departments, as well as due to staff shortages, higher taxes and staff costs.