In 2025, Kazakhstan’s retail trade turnover is projected to surpass $50 billion for the first time, according to data from INFOLine cited by Forbes.kz.
Analysts view this as a key milestone reflecting the scale and resilience of the country’s consumer market and the ongoing growth of business activity across major trade segments.
From January to September 2025, retail turnover reached 17.44 trillion tenge, up 7.1% year-on-year in real terms. Both retail chains and individual entrepreneurs contributed to this growth: sales in chain stores increased by 6.7%, while turnover in traditional trade and markets rose by 8.1%.
Kazakhstan now has over 200,000 retail outlets, including more than 70,000 grocery stores and 45,000 clothing and footwear shops. The non-food segment exceeds 85,000 stores, with rapid growth in pharmacies and modern trade formats for cosmetics, household goods, and baby products.
However, analysts note that major chains are expanding more slowly, shifting to selective growth strategies amid the rise of e-commerce and the growing presence of parallel imports and counterfeit goods. High household debt—now exceeding 100% of annual retail turnover—and the National Bank’s key rate of 18% are also weighing on consumer activity.
Despite these challenges, Kazakhstan’s retail market remains fundamentally strong, supported by population growth, urbanization, expanding logistics infrastructure, and digital transformation. The sector is entering a new phase focused on business efficiency, product strategy, and adaptability to shifting consumer behavior.
Other states in the region show differing patterns:
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In the neighbouring Uzbekistan, retail trade turnover for January–July 2025 rose by 9.8% compared to the same period in 2024 — reaching 236,327.3 billion soums ($19.69 bln)
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In the Kyrgyzstan capital, Bishkek, wholesale and retail trade (including vehicle and fuel sales) grew by 5.7% year-on-year for January–July 2025, to approximately 594.3 billion KGS ($6.79 bln).
CentralasianLIGHT.org
November 10, 2025