On April 16, 2025, Yandex, the Russian multinational IT company, announced its acquisition of the Boxberry delivery service, a move expected to significantly enhance its logistics and e-commerce capabilities across Russia. The integration of Boxberry into Yandex's existing infrastructure is set to be completed by the end of 2025, as confirmed by Yandex's press service.
The acquisition is strategically designed to expand Yandex's customer base and broaden the geographical reach of its services in logistics and e-commerce. With this deal, Yandex aims to introduce its order pick-up points and the Yandex Delivery service in more than 20 new regions, including remote areas such as Siberia and the Far East. This expansion will not only increase the number of existing pick-up points in cities where Yandex Delivery is already operational but also introduce new locations to facilitate easier access for customers.
According to Yandex, the logistics infrastructure of Boxberry will be integrated into its own, allowing Boxberry customers to utilize over 14,000 pick-up points throughout Russia and access Yandex's sorting centers, which currently exceed 60 in number. This integration means that an online store based in Khabarovsk, for instance, could dispatch goods to a sorting center in Moscow with just a few clicks, ensuring prompt delivery across the country.
For customers of Boxberry, the deal promises an expanded list of delivery options, including courier express delivery, which guarantees that packages arrive within the same day. This enhancement is expected to streamline operations and improve customer satisfaction as Yandex leverages its technology and infrastructure to optimize delivery services.
The financial details surrounding the acquisition remain undisclosed, but estimates suggest the deal may fall between 300 million and 1.5 billion rubles. Mikhail Burmistrov, CEO of Infoline Analytics, speculated that the main value of the deal lies in Boxberry's customer base and brand recognition, as most of its pick-up points are partnerships rather than owned assets. He noted, “The actual main value of the deal is the customer base and brand, because, in general, fundamentally there are very few assets there.”
Boxberry, established in 2010, has developed a robust delivery service catering to both online retailers and individual customers. By the end of 2024, Boxberry reported revenues of 2.3 billion rubles, a modest increase of 1.7% year-on-year, but also faced a net loss of 197 million rubles compared to a profit of 260 million rubles the previous year. Similarly, its subsidiary, Smart Logistics, recorded a revenue of 499 million rubles but also posted a loss of 13 million rubles.
In addition to the Boxberry acquisition, Yandex has been actively expanding its logistics capabilities. Earlier this year, Yandex.Market, the company’s online retail platform, fully leased a class A logistics complex named Fortis 11 in Shushary, marking a significant investment in the St. Petersburg warehouse real estate market. This move is seen as part of Yandex's broader strategy to strengthen its position in the e-commerce sector.
Furthermore, Yandex previously acquired the Pruffme service, which won a competition for IT startups, highlighting the company's commitment to integrating innovative solutions into its operations. This acquisition is expected to enhance Yandex's product offerings, including services related to video communication and other technological advancements.
As Yandex continues to integrate Boxberry, customers can anticipate a wealth of new services and improved logistics solutions. The completion of this integration by the end of 2025 will mark a significant milestone for Yandex, potentially reshaping the landscape of delivery services in Russia.
In summary, Yandex's acquisition of Boxberry represents a pivotal step in the company's efforts to enhance its logistics and e-commerce footprint across Russia. With plans to expand its order pick-up points and improve delivery options, Yandex is poised to strengthen its market position significantly. As the integration unfolds, both companies are expected to leverage their combined strengths to offer enhanced services to customers nationwide.
