Krasnoe & Beloe
A Russian ultra-convenience discount chain specializing in packaged alcoholic beverages, food, and everyday goods.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Krasnoe & Beloe, also rendered as Red&White, is a large Russian retail chain operating compact self-service stores in an ultra-convenience format. Its principal commercial category is packaged alcohol, particularly wine, spirits, and beer, but its stores also sell food, snacks, soft drinks, tobacco-related products, household supplies, and other everyday necessities. The name refers symbolically to red wine and white vodka. The business was developed by entrepreneur Sergei Studennikov through SPS, a holding company involved in alcohol and tobacco distribution. The first Krasnoe & Beloe shop opened in Kopeysk on 11 August 2006. The network had eight stores by the end of that year and 38 stores in 2007. It subsequently expanded rapidly across Russia, reaching approximately 1,700 stores in 27 regions in 2014, more than 2,500 stores in 39 regions in July 2015, and more than 3,000 stores and four distribution centers in 2016. Forbes reported 4,715 stores in 2017. The chain's format emphasizes proximity, a restricted but commercially selected assortment, relatively small premises, and low-price positioning. A typical outlet has a trading area of approximately 70 square metres and carries more than 1,800 stock-keeping units. Its stores are connected to Russia's Unified State Automated Information System for monitoring the production and distribution of ethanol and alcoholic drinks. The format gives the company substantial purchasing scale and makes it an important customer for beverage producers and importers. Krasnoe & Beloe became part of the broader Mercury Retail structure. In January 2019, the chain merged with the Bristol and DIXY retail businesses. Studennikov received a 49 percent stake in the combined company, while other reported principal stakeholders included Igor Kesaev and Sergei Katsiev. In October 2021, Mercury Retail Holding submitted preparations for an initial public offering on the Moscow Exchange, but the proposed IPO was postponed because of market conditions. The company later stated that it remained prepared to proceed when the market environment became more favorable. The network continued its aggressive physical expansion. It had 9,793 stores in 61 Russian regions on 1 September 2021 and 10,100 stores in the same number of regions on 1 November 2021. By 2024, reference material described more than 20,000 stores across 76 regions, supported by more than 30 warehouses and distribution centers. In 2023, the chain reportedly opened more than 3,500 new outlets, along with three warehouses and an office in Novosibirsk. The company was described as one of Russia's fastest-growing store networks and as a leading participant in the ultra-convenience segment. Its retail proposition combines everyday convenience with a strong alcohol assortment. Krasnoe & Beloe has become a major beer importer and one of the largest wine importers in Russia, while selected products have appeared in Russian and international wine evaluations. The chain's scale has also made it one of the country's largest private-sector employers. Although the brand operates only in Russia and is not publicly listed, its network size and connection with Mercury Retail make it one of the most consequential specialized food-and-beverage retailers in the Russian market.
History
Krasnoe & Beloe emerged from the alcohol-distribution activities of SPS, a holding company founded by Sergei Studennikov in the early 1990s. The first branded shop opened in Kopeysk on 11 August 2006. The business began with eight outlets by the end of its first year and expanded to 38 stores in 2007. The company then pursued a highly centralized expansion strategy based on small stores, a limited but carefully selected assortment, and high turnover in beverages and convenience goods. By 2014, the chain had approximately 1,700 stores in 27 regions. It exceeded 2,500 stores in 39 regions in July 2015 and passed 3,000 stores, supported by four distribution centers, in 2016. Forbes reported 4,715 stores in 2017. The retail concept is commonly described as ultra-convenience: outlets are much smaller than conventional supermarkets and are positioned close to residential customers. Their average sales area is about 70 square metres, with an assortment of more than 1,800 items. Alcohol remains the core business, although the stores carry food, beer, household goods, and other daily necessities. The chain's connection to the national alcohol-tracking system is a central operational requirement. The company became associated with Mercury Retail, which also operated the Bristol and DIXY businesses. At the end of January 2019, Krasnoe & Beloe merged with Bristol and DIXY. Reported ownership arrangements gave Studennikov 49 percent of the combined enterprise, with Igor Kesaev and Sergei Katsiev also identified as major stakeholders. Mercury Retail Holding later explored a Moscow Exchange listing. The proposed 2021 IPO was postponed in response to market conditions, leaving the group privately held in the supplied reference material. Expansion accelerated during the 2020s. Krasnoe & Beloe had nearly 9,800 stores in September 2021 and approximately 10,100 stores by November of that year, covering 61 Russian regions. In 2023, the chain reportedly opened more than 3,500 stores. By 2024, descriptions of the network placed it above 20,000 stores in 76 regions, with more than 30 warehouses and distribution centers. The scale of the network made the company a major buyer for beverage manufacturers and a significant importer of beer and wine. The brand's growth has been accompanied by increasing recognition in Russian retail and wine-industry rankings. Products sold through the chain were reported in the 2023 Wine Guide of Russia and referenced by Wine Enthusiast and the Chilean Descorchados guide. The chain also received industry and consumer awards for its wine selection and retail practices. Its operating model remains focused on dense geographic coverage, low prices, rapid store rollout, and convenient access to alcohol and everyday consumer products.
- 2024
Network exceeds 20,000 stores
[1]Reference material described more than 20,000 stores in 76 Russian regions and over 30 warehouses and distribution centers.
- 2023
More than 3,500 stores opened in one year
[1]The chain reportedly added more than 3,500 stores across 76 regions and expanded its logistics infrastructure.
- 2021
IPO proposal postponed
[1]Mercury Retail Holding prepared an IPO for the Moscow Exchange, then postponed the offering because of market conditions.
- 2019
Merger with Bristol and DIXY
[1]Krasnoe & Beloe became part of a combined retail structure with Bristol and DIXY.
- 2016
More than 3,000 stores and four distribution centers
[1]The chain exceeded 3,000 stores and operated four distribution centers.
- 2014
Network reaches 1,700 stores
[1]The chain operated approximately 1,700 stores across 27 Russian regions.
- 2007
Early regional expansion
[1]The network expanded to 38 stores.
- 2006
First Krasnoe & Beloe store opens
[1]The first branded store opened in Kopeysk on 11 August; eight stores were operating by the end of the year.
Products and positioning
Low-price ultra-convenience retailer with a broad packaged-alcohol assortment and a compact neighborhood-store model.
Alcoholic beverages
Wine
Wine is one of the chain's principal categories. Krasnoe & Beloe uses its large store network and purchasing scale to offer domestic and imported wines in a compact retail environment. Products sold through the chain were reported in the 2023 Wine Guide of Russia and referenced by Wine Enthusiast and Descorchados.
Alcoholic beverages
Vodka and spirits
The brand's name alludes to red wine and white vodka, and packaged spirits are central to its commercial identity. Stores offer vodka and other spirits alongside regulatory-compliant inventory tracking through Russia's Unified State Automated Information System.
Alcoholic beverages
Beer
Beer is a major part of the assortment and an important component of the company's import activity. Reference material describes Krasnoe & Beloe as one of Russia's leading beer importers, with its network contributing substantially to beer distribution.
Food and everyday necessities
Food and convenience goods
Although alcohol is the core category, stores carry more than 1,800 items, including packaged food, snacks, soft drinks, and other products intended for quick neighborhood shopping.
Everyday necessities
Household and daily-use goods
The compact assortment includes household supplies and other daily-use goods, allowing the stores to function as convenience outlets rather than as dedicated liquor shops.
Brand decisions
2021
Postpone the proposed IPOStrategyBackground
Mercury Retail Holding submitted IPO preparations for the Moscow Exchange but cited market conditions as unfavorable.
Action taken
The holding postponed the offering while stating that it remained ready to proceed when conditions improved.
Aftermath
The group continued operating as a privately held business in the supplied reference material.
2019
Combine Krasnoe & Beloe with Bristol and DIXYM&ABackground
The combination brought three Russian retail businesses into a larger group associated with Mercury Retail.
Action taken
Krasnoe & Beloe merged with Bristol and DIXY; Sergei Studennikov was reported to receive 49 percent of the combined company.
Aftermath
The transaction created a broader retail platform and supported subsequent nationwide expansion.
Sources1 sources
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