A new major player is entering Uzbekistan’s retail market — a neighborhood-format supermarket chain under the Rahmart brand, according to EastFruit analysts.
As reported by the Telegram channel Uzbek Retail, the company plans to open 100 stores in the capital city during the first year of operations. Over the next five years, the Rahmart network aims to expand to 1,000 locations across the country.
“Rahmart offers a convenient everyday shopping format within walking distance: a wide range of essential goods, with a focus on freshness, affordable prices, and fast service. The chain is also committed to supporting local producers. The first store openings are just around the corner,” the announcement states.
EastFruit analysts note that the “neighborhood store” format has seen active development in the capital’s retail market in recent years, and competition in this segment is expected to intensify with the emergence of a new major player.
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As early as January 2021, Roman Saifulin, then CEO of the Makro supermarket chain, told EastFruit in an interview that Makro was increasingly shifting toward express-format stores, which are more accessible to consumers in terms of location — essentially adopting the neighborhood store model. These stores operate under the Makro Express brand.
Several other supermarket chains are actively expanding within this same segment, with stores predominantly located in Tashkent and to a lesser extent in the Tashkent region. These include:
- Havas (342 stores)
- Baraka Market (approximately 50 stores, per EastFruit estimates)
- Assorti (46 stores)
- Bi1 (33–35 stores)
- Daily Market (about 30–35 stores, per EastFruit estimates).
Additionally, in October 2023, Uzbekistan’s largest retailer by turnover — the Korzinka supermarket chain — announced the launch of its own neighborhood-format concept, Korzinka Mahalla. Currently, there are 20 Korzinka Mahalla stores operating in the capital.
