Russians spend more on medicine and beauty, but less on electronics and alcohol

In January - August of this year, Russians do not save on medical services and pharmacies: the average bill has become higher, and the number of purchases has increased.

Spending on accessories for smartphones and small electronics, travel agency services, books and stationery decreased.

There is a gradual abandonment of pretentious spending and a decrease in the share of alcohol in the receipts of restaurants and bars.

MOSCOW, September 10 - RIA Novosti. This year, Russians are not saving on medical services, beauty salons and food, but have begun to buy less small electronics and alcohol, Dmitry Batyushenkov, head of the OFD Platform company, said in an interview with RIA Novosti.

“The demand is heterogeneous. They do not save on medical services - the average bill is higher by 11%, and the number of purchases has increased by 3%, as well as in pharmacies - here the average bill is higher by 12%, and the number of purchases by 2%,” he compared the spending of Russians in January-August of this and last year.

They continue to spend money on their appearance - in beauty salons there is a 4% increase in receipts. They are not reducing the volume of food purchases, although they are switching to their own store brands - an increase in the number of purchases by 1.5%.

At the same time, spending on books and stationery has decreased significantly: the number of purchases is 20% lower in annual terms. Spending on accessories for smartphones and small electronics (the number of purchases is 14% lower) and travel agency services (the number of purchases is 13% lower) also decreased. Restaurants are also visited less - 5% lower than last year.

Against the background of the development of a healthy lifestyle culture, alcohol is leaving the shopping cart in restaurants and bars: its share, including beer and cocktails, is now about 37% of the check, while in 2025 it was 41%. In general, there is a gradual abandonment of pretentious spending; visits to restaurants in the largest cities have decreased by 8-10% over the year. Fewer people buy “one-time” items, such as wedding dresses and men’s suits - the number of purchases has been declining for several seasons now, by 3-5% annually.