News https://en.expovr.ru ru Thu, 28 May 2026 12:55:56 +0300 Russia’s Aesthetic Market on the Rise: BEAUNITY 2026 Confirms Strong Growth and Expanding International Interest https://en.expovr.ru/tpost/lykccv8nn1-russias-aesthetic-market-on-the-rise-bea https://en.expovr.ru/tpost/lykccv8nn1-russias-aesthetic-market-on-the-rise-bea?amp=true Thu, 28 May 2026 11:05:00 +0300 Julia Scott The Russian professional beauty market is demonstrating steady growth of 10–16% annually, exceeding RUB 1.3 trillion, and remains one of the most dynamic in the region.

Russia’s Aesthetic Market on the Rise: BEAUNITY 2026 Confirms Strong Growth and Expanding International Interest

The Market Behind the Numbers

From April 7 to 9, 2026, BEAUNITY by InterCHARM — an international convention and exhibition — was successfully held at Crocus Expo, Moscow, reaffirming its role as a key platform for entering and developing business in the Russian market of cosmetology and aesthetic medicine.

In 2026, the exhibition brought together more than 150 companies and over 20,000industry professionals, confirming sustained market growth and strengthening international interest in one of the most dynamic segments of the beauty industry.
The Russian aesthetic medicine market continues to demonstrate steady and systematic expansion, remaining one of the fastest-growing in the region.

According to industry estimates, the annual growth rate of cosmetology servicesreaches 10–16%, while the injectable procedures segment now accountsfor 40–50% of the total market and continues to grow at an annual rate of 15–20%.

This expansion is driven by increasing demand for minimally invasiveprocedures, rising

average spend per client, and the growing popularity of comprehensive and long-term treatment programmes.

The market is developing across all key indicators, from procedure volumes to service value, creating a stable and scalable environment for business.

Taken together, these indicators confirm that the Russian market is not a short-term opportunity, but a long-term growth environment for international companies.
Demand is shifting toward clinically proven, personalized, and premium solutions, while domestic production and online distribution channels continue to expand.

A Market Open for International Business.

BEAUNITY 2026 clearly demonstrated growing international engagement.

More than 20% of exhibitors represented foreign companies, confirming increasing confidence in the Russian market and strengthening global cooperation in the field of aesthetic medicine and professional beauty.

The market is actively integrating advanced technologies and treatment approaches, while clinics and practitioners continue to expand their service offerings. For international companies, this creates significant opportunities across equipment, injectables, cosmeceuticals, and comprehensive solutions for clinics.

At the same time, the structure of demand in Russia is evolving toward higher-value, results-driven services. Clinics are increasingly focused on improving treatment outcomes, patient experience, and operational efficiency, which drives demand for innovative technologies, clinically validated products, and integrated treatment protocols.

This creates favorable conditions for international suppliers offering not only standalone products, but also complete solutions that enhance clinic performance and profitability.

The Audience: Real Professionals. Real Demand.

BEAUNITY attractsa highly targetedprofessional audience with strong purchasing power and directinvolvement in businessdecision-making.
60% — Cosmetologists and aesthetic medicine practitioners directly working with patients

20% — Clinic owners, executives, and senior management

10% — Distributors, brand representatives, and industry experts

10% — Emerging professionals and investors exploring market entry opportunities
This structure ensures that the exhibition is not only a showcase of products and technologies, but also an effective platform for commercial interaction, partnership development, and businessexpansion
85% of attendees are either personally make or influence purchasing decisions

The Business Program:
Knowledge, Practice, Strategy

The business programme is a core element of BEAUNITY, complementing the exhibition and enhancing its practical value.

The parallelprogramme covers both practical and strategic aspectsof the industry, including day-to-day work with clinic clients, treatment protocols, service quality, and patient interaction, as well as business management, marketing, promotion, and operational efficiency.

This integrated approach allows participants to combine clinical expertise with business knowledge, gaining insights that can be directly applied to improve performance and scale operations.

Market Trends: The Future of Professional Beauty in Russia

BEAUNITY2026 highlightedthe keytrends shapingthe developmentof theRussian aestheticmedicine and professional beautymarket.

The sustained growth of injectable and minimally invasive procedures continues to be one of the main drivers of the industry. Demand for safe,clinically proven, and certified productsis increasing, while the premiumsegment is expanding alongside rising expectations for service qualityand results.

There is also growing interest in anti-ageing solutions and comprehensive treatment protocols, as well as wider adoption of personalised approaches tailored to individual patient needs. At the same time, clinicsare increasingly focusedon long- term client relationships and higher lifetime value, driving demand for integrated solutions that combine products, technologies, and expertise.
The market is shifting towardbrands that offer integrated solutions, combining products withtools thatsupport clinicoperations andfor brandsthat candeliver end-to-end solutions,supporting clinicsnot onlywith products but with scalable businessmodels.

Business Platform:
Real Contacts. Real Results.

Overthree days, BEAUNITY 2026 confirmed its role as a growth hub for business in the Russian aesthetic market.

Participants held numerous meetings with clinics, distributors, and partners, established new business contacts, and received direct feedback from a highly professional audience. The exhibition format enables efficient communication between suppliers and buyers, accelerating decision-making processes and supporting the development of long-term partnerships.

For international exhibitors, this means directaccess to a growing market with active demand and a professional community ready to adopt new products and technologies.

A Platform for Growth and Expansion.

BEAUNITY by InterCHARM continues to strengthen its positionas a strategic gateway to the Russian market.

By bringing together manufacturers, practitioners, distributors, and investors, the exhibition creates a unifiedecosystem for industry development. It provides companies with access to a professional audience, up-to-date marketinsights, and real opportunities for building partnerships and scaling business.
The Russian market remains open to international cooperation and continues to actively adopt advanced technologies, making it one of the most promising trends for global expansion in the professional beauty sector.

Awards & Recognition

A highlight of the first day of BEAUNITY 2026 was the Prof Beauty Star Award ceremony, held on April 7.

The award recognizes the best products, technologies, and solutions in aesthetic medicine and cosmetology, serving as an important quality benchmark for the professional community.

The winnerswere selected acrosskey categories, includinginnovation, technology integration, clinical solutions, and marketing strategy, highlighting the diversity and maturity of the sector.

The award reflectsthe industry’s growing focus on innovation, safety, and clinical effectiveness, and brings together leading developments that are shaping the future of the market.

Exhibitor Voices:

“For us, BEAUNITY was a very important first experience as an exhibitor. We met our target audience, had meaningful conversations, and established valuable connections. Most importantly, we felt that people truly understood our brand and our approach — and thatmade this participation especially meaningful.” – ROZHKOVALAB representative

Be Part of BEAUNITY by InterCHARM2027

BEAUNITY by InterCHARM will return on March 23–25, 2027, at Crocus Expo, Moscow, offering new opportunities for growth, partnerships, and international business development.
For manufacturers of aesthetic devices, injectables, and professional skincare solutions, BEAUNITY provides direct access to a highly targeted audience of cosmetologists, clinic owners, and medical professionals making purchasing decisions. In a market driven by growing demand for minimally invasive procedures and rising client spend, the exhibition connects suppliers with clinics seeking effective and clinicallyproven solutions.

For distributors and companies offering integrated solutions, BEAUNITY opens access to a rapidly expandingprofessional ecosystem, where clinics are actively investing in new technologies and long-term business development.
Whichever segment of the aesthetic and professional beauty market you represent, the opportunity is here:
Expand your business. Enter new markets. Build global partnerships.
Booth applications for BEAUNITY by InterCHARM 2027 are now open: en.beauty-expo.ru

About the Organiser

ExpoVisionRus (EVR) is an independent Russianexhibition company with over 19 years of experience. Its portfolio covers ten exhibitions spanning industrial sectors and consumer markets. Each EVR event operates as a year-round ecosystem — uniting suppliers and buyers, industry organisations, media, and government authorities, supporting and celebrating the growth of the professional communities it serves.

www.expovr.ru
]]> From Innovation to Partnership: PulpFor Expands Cooperation Across Borders https://en.expovr.ru/tpost/9483kfs5d1-from-innovation-to-partnership-pulpfor-e https://en.expovr.ru/tpost/9483kfs5d1-from-innovation-to-partnership-pulpfor-e?amp=true Tue, 26 May 2026 11:55:00 +0300 PulpFor once again confirmed its role as a key platform for dialogue between government, industry leaders, and pulp and paper specialists

From Innovation to Partnership: PulpFor Expands Cooperation Across Borders

PulpFor once again confirmed its role as a key platform for dialogue between government, industry leaders, and pulp and paper specialists
PulpFor 2025 in facts & figures:

3 days of F2F meetings with industry-leading visitors
300+ exhibitors Russia, China, India, Germany, Italy, Spain, Serbia, Czech Republic
12,000+ visitors decision-makers from leading utility and industrial enterprises
250+ Delegates
75+ Speakers
25+ hours of unique program
The International Exhibition of Equipment and Technologies for Pulp and Paper, Converting, Tissue and Corrugated Industries, PulpFor 2025, was held on November 25-27, 2025, in Saint-Petersburg, Russia (ExpoForum).
Recognized as the leading event for Russia’s pulp and paper sector, PulpFor showcases high-tech solutions driving the modernization of all the pulp and paper infrastructure across the country.
The International Exhibition of Equipment and Technologies for Pulp and Paper, Converting, Tissue and Corrugated Industries, PulpFor 2025, was held on November 25-27, 2025, in Saint-Petersburg, Russia (ExpoForum).
Recognized as the leading event for Russia’s pulp and paper sector, PulpFor showcases high-tech solutions driving the modernization of all the pulp and paper infrastructure across the country.

PulpFor - 2025 edition

The 2025 edition confirmed the PulpFor’s role as a key professional platform for Russia, Eastern Europe and Central Asia, bringing together participants from all the production processes and covering the most relevant topics on the industry agenda.
Over three days, the exhibition gathered industry leaders, technology developers and engineering centers, raw material and chemical producers, industry associations, experts, young professionals, and representatives of government authorities. cooperation and contracts.
PulpFor 2025 demonstrated record-breaking scale and set a strategic direction for the development of the pulp and paper industry for the coming years.
One of the key events was the official tour of the exhibition by a delegation from the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation represented by Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade and other government representatives.

Landmark Exhibition Reinforces Russia’s Rising Prominence in the Worldwide Paper Sector

The geography of PulpFor 2025 was remarkable: 230+ manufacturers and suppliers from across Russia were joined by more than 70 international companies representing China, Germany, Italy, Spain, India, Serbia and Czech Republic.
This broad participation underscored not only the scale of the Russian pulp and paper sector but also the growing recognition of its importance among global industry leaders.
Significant potential for broader international expansion is evident.
PulpFor, Russia’s leading pulp and paper equipment and technology show, attracted more than 12,000 professional visitors, including representatives of Russian government authorities, key paper mills, utilities, industrial companies, and trading organizations.
The international visitor profile of the event was also notable, with industry leaders arriving from 15 countries, among them China, Turkey, India, Vietnam, UAE, Germany, and all over the Central Asia and Ex-Soviet Union countries.
According to preliminary feedback, the total value of contracts and agreements concluded during PulpFor 2025 exceeded 250 million USD, once again confirming the exhibition’s role as a key platform for generating real business results.

Governmental support:
With High Level Institution Recognition, The Exhibition Elevates Its Industry Status

PulpFor 2025 was held with the strong support of the Russian government, leading industry bodies and international representatives.
Supporting organizations include, but are not limited to:
• Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation,
• National Priorities Agency of the Russian Federation,
• St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry,
• Russian Association of Pulp and Paper Industry Organizations and Enterprises (RAO "BumProm"),
• St. Petersburg State University of Industrial Technologies and Design,
• Association of Manufacturers of Machinery and Equipment of the Timber Industry,
• China National Pulp and Paper Research Institute (CNPPRI),
• China National Chemical Information Center (CNCIC),
• Paper & Tissue Show Abu Dhabi
This ensures that PulpFor is not only the country’s leading industry platform but also a government and industry supported priority, offering long-term stability, demand, and opportunities for development.
Mikhail Yurin, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation, conducted an official walkthrough of the exhibition, during which he visited key stands and reviewed the technologies and solutions presented by industry companies.
Every year at our exhibition, we award the PulpFor Scholarship to celebrate the scientific contribution of talented students and future specialists in the pulp and paper industry, confirming the status of the exhibition as a socio-economic and scientific phenomenon.

Striking highlights of PulpFor 2025: Uniting Russian Industry Leaders

One of the most striking highlights of PulpFor 2025 was the booth of ILIM Group, one of the largest paper mills in Russia and one of the biggest in Europe. Covering more than 75% of the pulp market, the company demonstrated large-scale projects for upgrading the whole sector and ensuring uninterrupted access to high-quality products.
Its exposition once again attracted enormous attention from professionals, underscoring ILIM’s role as a benchmark for the industry, as well as its strategic importance in shaping long-term development trends of the pulp and paper sector.

PulpFor 2025 brought together a wide range of Russian technology leaders, many of whom are actively expanding and modernizing their operations.
In the research, development and production in the field of state signs segment, Goznak presented advanced systems for money printing. Chemical sector was highlighted by Neohim, AKTO, Volgohimneft, with solutions focused on chemical innovations for the whole sector.

Producers such as NKBK and Makkom introduced innovations in corrugated carton and packaging solutions,
while leading paper companies including VOLGA JSC and Segezha Group demonstrated their production capabilities, modernization projects, and approaches to sustainable paper manufacturing. Elma-Asterion and Elemet presented a broad range of wastewater treatment equipment. PCBK showcased its production expertise and modernization initiatives aimed at supporting technological development across the pulp and paper industry.
Their strong presence underscored the scale of domestic demand and the active search for advanced solutions across all parts of the industry sector.

International presence:
Cross-Border Engagement

PulpFor 2025 also highlighted the strong international dimension of the exhibition. A powerful delegation of 80+ Chinese companies underlined the country’s rapidly advancing pulp and paper capabilities, with key names including Zhengzhou Leizhan Technology Paper Machinery, Xuzhou Tri-circle Industrial Fabrics Technology, BaoSuo Paper Machinery Manufacture, Chaint Corporation, Shandong Tianrui Heavy Industry, Henan Jingxin Fabric Technology, Hebei HeHuang Screen Industrial, Guangzhou Keylife Textile and many others.
Another milestone was the participation of exhibitors from different parts of the world — 9. Septembar (Serbia), ASHOKA ROLLS, Papertex Speciality Chemicals, Vizen Solutions (India), MWN NIEFERN MASCHINENFABRIK (Germany), Techno Caucho (Spain), Maflex (Italy) and CELPAP Machinery (Czech Republic) — marking a stage of International growing engagement with the Russian pulp and paper sector. With participation expected to expand further, PulpFor continues to serve as a gateway for global technology leaders entering the market.

Enhanced Services for International Exhibitors: Priority Care

PulpFor 2025 placed special emphasis on enhancing the experience of international participants by introducing an expanded support service.
A dedicated team of more than ten specialists, fluent in over nine languages, was available throughout the event to provide immediate assistance — from arrival and registration to on-site logistics, technical coordination, and participation in the business program.
This multilingual service ensured smooth communication and eliminated barriers, allowing overseas participants to fully concentrate on their work. The premium-level care was highly appreciated by exhibitors, who noted that such personalized attention made their presence at PulpFor more effective, comfortable, and rewarding.

Striking highlights of the 2025 edition of PulpFor

Running in parallel with the exhibition, the PulpFor Forum once again confirmed its role as one of the most authoritative platforms in the sector.
More than 250+ delegates and over 75+ expert speakers took part in 25+ hours of conferences, seminars, master classes, and round tables, covering every key aspect of pulp and paper industry.
The business program featured leading voices from government, industry, science, and professional associations:
• Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation – sets functions for the development of state policy and regulationы in the field of the industrial complex.
• State Duma (Parliament) Committee on Industry and Trade – responsible for the creation of specialized draft laws affecting various industries.
• VOLGA JSC – is a highly respected pulp and paper mill, included in the List of organizations having a significant impact on industry and trade, as well as in the List of strategic companies of the Russian timber industry.
• ILIM Group – the company accounts for 75% of all commercial pulp produced in Russia, 18% of packaging materials, and 26% of white paper. In 2025, the ACRA rating agency awarded JSC ILIM Group an A+ rating with a stable outlook.
• Russian Association of Pulp and Paper Industry Organizations and Enterprises (RAO "BumProm") –consists of 20 largest paper mills and organizations, whose share in the total Russian production volume is 94% for pulp, 78% for paper and 72% for cardboard.
• Kuzbass Scarab – the dynamically developing paper mill which occupies a worthy place in the industry, but despite this it continues to develop, and expand its presence in the market.
• PJSC Segezha Group – the paper mill, which products are sold in more than 100 countries around the world. The development focuses on eco—friendly technologies for deep wood processing and the most waste-free use of raw materials. • JSC Solikamskbumprom — the paper mill with more than 50% of all products exported to countries such as Germany, Austria, UK, UAE, Egypt, India and others. In Russia, many media outlets are printed on Solikamskbumprom paper.
PulpFor Forum – key attraction point

The PulpFor Forum is a professional platform for the pulp and paper industry where participants gain new knowledge in legislation, production efficiency, modernization, and technological process support, while also building valuable business connections and exchanging practical experience with colleagues and partners.
As part of the forum, a business brunch was held with the participation of Mikhail Yurin and key industry players.
In addition, separate thematic sessions focused on environmental challenges, overall industry trends, and other pressing issues shaping the future of the pulp and paper industry.


Awards ceremony

The PulpFor Award is the first industry award for Russian and international companies, granted exclusively to participants of PulpFor 2025 - pulp and paper mills, manufacturers, and suppliers of equipment and services - for their contribution to the development of the pulp and paper industry in Russia. Established in 2020 by the organizing committee of PulpFor, the only pulp and paper industry exhibition in Russia and Eastern Europe, the award recognizes outstanding professional achievements and innovation within the industry.

Conclusions

PulpFor 2025 became a vivid demonstration of the industry’s development, its commitment to innovation, and its readiness for systemic partnership.
Participating companies concluded the exhibition with new agreements, concrete objectives, and implementation plans for advanced solutions. PulpFor further strengthened its position as a key professional growth platform for the industry, uniting technologies, expertise, and people.
PulpFor is where the most relevant technologies are presented, partnerships are formed, and the foundations for long-term progress are laid.
Partners of the 2025 exhibition:
• Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation: responsible for developing and implementing state policy and regulation in industry, including the pulp and paper sector.
• National Priorities Agency of the Russian Federation: supports national projects, promotes sustainable development initiatives, and communicates key socio-economic priorities.
• Russian Association of Pulp and Paper Industry Organizations and Enterprises: makes a significant contribution to the development of the pulp and paper industry by fostering cooperation between businesses, government authorities, and the expert community.
• Chamber of Commerce and Industry: facilitates business development, international cooperation, and dialogue between companies and public authorities.
PulpFor thanks its participants and professional visitors and looks forward to welcoming you at the next exhibition of pulp and paper technologies and equipment on November 24-26, 2026 at ExpoForum!
Exhibition Organiser
ExpoVisionRus (EVR) is an independent Russian exhibition company.

The company's portfolio includes ten exhibitions covering both industrial sectors of the economy and consumer markets, some of which are part of priority national projects. Each of our events is the core of an entire ecosystem, where we year-round unite suppliers and buyers, businesses and industry organizations, the press, and government authorities, supporting and celebrating each other's successes.

We are glad to unite professional communities within the most diverse industries, where our clients build new connections, develop and grow financially, share ideas, and realize their potential.
www.expovr.ru
]]> SobMaExpo 2026 marks a market turning point: private labels are gaining the status of self-sufficient brands https://en.expovr.ru/tpost/y0a7ff5bs1-sobmaexpo-2026-marks-a-market-turning-po https://en.expovr.ru/tpost/y0a7ff5bs1-sobmaexpo-2026-marks-a-market-turning-po?amp=true Wed, 27 May 2026 12:27:00 +0300 Results of the International Exhibition for Contract Manufacturing and Private LabelApril 14-15, 2026, Moscow, Crocus Expo IEC

SobMaExpo 2026 marks a market turning point: private labels are gaining the status of self-sufficient brands

Results of the International Exhibition for Contract Manufacturing and Private Label
April 14-15, 2026, Moscow, Crocus Expo IEC
SobMaExpo 2026 in figures

250+ exhibiting companies
6 000+ professional visitors
1 100+ Retail Connect business meetings
10+ exhibiting countries
80+ manufacturers participated in B2B meetings with
40+ key retail chains

Key outcomes

On April 14-15, 2026, the International Exhibition for Contract Manufacturing and Private Label,
SobMaExpo 2026, concluded in Moscow. The event brought together manufacturers, retailers and
market experts, once again confirming its status as the largest industry exhibition for private label and
contract manufacturing in Central Asia and Eastern Europe.
In 2026, the exhibition captured a qualitative shift in the market: private labels are moving beyond the
role of an “alternative” and becoming a standalone model for brand building, strategy and consumer
engagement.
SobMaExpo has firmly established itself as a key business platform where products are not only
showcased, but direct negotiations take place, agreements are reached and new partnerships are
formed. For manufacturers and retail chains, the exhibition serves as an effective meeting point for
discussing cooperation, testing demand and moving from product presentation to real contracts.

Two days that revealed the new logic of the private label market

SobMaExpo 2026 became a point of direct dialogue between manufacturers, retailers and market
experts
In 2026, SobMaExpo strengthened its role as a regional business hub for private label and contract manufacturing. The exhibition brought together companies from different product sectors, creating a concentrated environment for industry dialogue, market analysis and new business connections.
For international and local manufacturers, SobMaExpo became a practical platform for understanding retail
demand in Russia, Central Asia and Eastern Europe - from category trends and consumer expectations to the
requirements of major retail chains. This regional focus makes the exhibition not only a showcase of products, but also an important point of market entry and business development.
The exhibition brought together a wide range of categories, from food products to non-food, including cosmetics, dietary supplements, household and baby products, hygiene items and pet care. This composition reflects a shift in retail demand: the market needs not individual SKUs, but reliable manufacturing partners.
Over two days, the exhibition welcomed more than 6,000 market professionals, including buyers, category managers, representatives of pharmacy chains and marketplaces, as well as senior retail executives. For this audience, private label and contract manufacturing are no longer secondary activities, but part of a
long-term business strategy.
Key conclusion
The market is moving from launching “one more product” to creating a clear value system for the
consumer.

Key trends at SobMaExpo 2026

Repeat purchase
The main KPI is not the first sale, but customer return and long-term value.
Consumer behaviour
Gen Z makes private labels fashionable, while millennials demand efficiency, and the 45+ audience provides stability
The end of copying
The “the same as a brand, but cheaper” model no longer delivers sustainable growth
Manufacturing expertise
Contract manufacturing provides access to technologies, R&D and speed to market.

SobMa Private Label Awards goes viral

The highlight of the first day was the Private Label Awards by SobMaExpo ceremony, an international award for retailers and manufacturers. In 2026, the award reached a new level: for the first time, the ceremony was
broadcasted on live TV. This was an important step for the industry and highlighted the growing role of
private label on the federal business agenda. This year, 47 companies took part: 21 manufacturers and 26 retailers. Winners were selected in 34 categories.

The award has become a key benchmark of industry recognition in the region, highlighting the strongest private label products, packaging solutions and contract manufacturing projects. For companies, it is not only a professional achievement, but also a prestigious mark of quality and market relevance —
one that strengthens brand reputation and confirms the product’s potential in front of retailers, partners and consumers.

SobMaExpo: from food to beauty, household, baby and pet
products

More than 250 companies presented solutions for private label and contract manufacturing
In 2026, more than 250 companies from Russia, Belarus, China, Kazakhstan, India, Tunisia, Turkey and South Korea took part in the exhibition. The exposition covered both food and non-food sectors, including cosmetics,
dietary supplements, household and baby products, hygiene items, pet care and other categories with strong growth potential.

For manufacturers, participation in SobMaExpo was an opportunity to present production capacities, product expertise, packaging solutions and readiness to work with retail in a long-term partnership format. For retailers, the exhibition became a tool for finding suppliers, comparing offers, assessing quality and launching new private label categories.

The expanding geography of exhibitors shows that the contract manufacturing and private label market is becoming increasingly international. For the first time in its history, Tunisia had its country pavilion organised by Embassy in Russia. Companies view the Russian market as a promising
platform for cooperation, localization and the development of new product categories.
Exhibitor geography
Leading International Brands Choose SobMa
The market needs product lines, usage scenarios and consistent quality. That is why contract manufacturing is becoming not only a
production service, but also a way to create new categories faster, test demand and build long-term product strategies

Retail Connect: more than 1,100 meetings in two days

The matchmaking program became a tool for accelerating decisions between manufacturers and retailers
The Retail Connect matchmaking program became one of the key drivers of business activity at SobMaExpo
2026 and reached a fundamentally new level this year. Over two days, more than 1 100 business meetings were held with 80+ manufacturers from Russia, Belarus, China, Turkey and Tunisia and 40+ retail chains.
Behind these figures is more than a high-density business program. Retail Connect works as a market accelerator: the cycle of “partner search - negotiations - decisionmaking” is compressed from months to hours. For manufacturers, this means direct access to buyers and category managers.
For retail, the format makes it possible to quickly compare offers, identify new categories and select suppliers for
test launches. This approach changes the dynamics of private label and contract manufacturing: decisions
are discussed in direct dialogue between the manufacturer and the retailer.
80+ manufacturers
40+ retail chains
5 countries in the program
2 days of negotiations
70% of meetings ened with contracts
How the format works
Why it matters
Retail Connect is not just a meeting program; it is a mechanism that turns the exhibition into a platform for real business decisions. Manufacturers gain direct contact, while retailers get fast access to ready-made solutions for private label development.

Private label as a new brand model

The market is moving from price competition to competition based on value, trust and repeat
purchase
The key conclusion of SobMaExpo 2026 is that the private label market has entered a mature stage. For the
overloaded shelves, the model of “launching for the sake of launching” no longer works: consumers choose not
abundance, but a clear solution to their needs, a stable result and a product embedded in an everyday scenario.
For retailers, this means the growing role of product strategy, design, quality and repeat purchase. For manufacturers, it means moving from the “fulfil an order” model to the role of a technology partner that gives
retail access to expertise, Research & Development (R&D), launch speed and consistent quality.
SobMaExpo 2026 showed that the private label and contract manufacturing market is developing as an independent sector with its own strategies, product logic and growing consumer loyalty. The exhibition
remains a working platform where manufacturers and retailers discuss not abstract opportunities, but concrete
solutions.

Partners and support

The exhibition is held with the support of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation. General
retail partner of the 2026 exhibition was Magnit. Information support: RPCA, Moscow Region Entrepreneurship Development Center, AKIT, APPIC BH, Romir, INFOLine, POPAI, Russian Association of Retail Market Experts, retail.ru, New-Retail.ru, Raw Materials and Packaging magazine, Tochka Prodazh, Retail&Loyalty, Retail Life.
See you at SobMaExpo 2027
April 13-14, 2027, Moscow
Join SobMaExpo 2027 and present your solutions to a professional audience of retail, procurement and contract manufacturing specialists
Organizer
ExpoVisionRus (EVR) is the largest independent organizer of industry exhibitions in Russia. EVR’s portfolio includes 12 specialized projects in beauty, contract manufacturing, advertising, water technologies, ecology, aviation and pulp & paper. We are glad to unite professional communities within the most diverse industries, where our clients build new connections, develop and grow financially, share ideas, and realize their potential.
]]>