The number of bookstores in Russia’s major cities has fallen sharply

Over the past two years, the number of bookshops in cities with populations over 100,000 has fallen by 11.3%, reaching 2,247 outlets as of November 2025. This was reported by the Association of Book Distributors (ASKR).

In 2024–2025, 338 bookshops closed in large cities, while only 135 new ones opened. The largest number of closures occurred in Moscow — 51 shops. By November 2025, the capital will have 185 bookshops. In terms of bookshop availability, Moscow ranked second to last among 16 cities with populations over one million, with one outlet per 71,753 residents. Kazan ranked first (one bookshop per 25,091 residents), and Volgograd ranked last (one per 72,306 residents).

“The decline in the number of bookshops in Moscow is largely due to the closure of the Knyzhkovy Labirint chain, which shut 32 shops in the capital. Over the past year, this chain has reduced its outlets by 90%,” explained ASKR (Association of Book Distributors) President Svetlana Zorina.

A representative of the Moscow bookstore Biblioglobus noted that it is “extremely difficult” for specialised retailers to compete with marketplaces. According to Zorina, “aggressive price dumping” by marketplaces leads readers to “vote with their money” by buying books where they are significantly cheaper.

Separately, the Russian State Duma has adopted amendments to the law “On Education,” which provide for the compulsory referral of ninth-graders who fail the state exam to free vocational training in blue-collar professions.