The Russian consumer electronics market represented one of Russia's most developed and most competitive retail sectors before the recent economic crisis. According to GFK-Russia (a subsidiary company of the German GFK-Group), the size of the combined consumer electronics and household appliances markets in Russia was valued at US$40.6 billion in 2008. In 2009, the consumer electronics market declined significantly by approximately 35%. In 2009, the consumer electronics market in Russia was estimated to be worth only US$18.5 billion.

By the end of 2010, the Russian consumer electronics market totalled US$21.5 billion, reporting strong growth in the second half of the year. In 2011, the consumer electronics market has continued to expand, increasing by 30% over the year. By the end of 2012, the market is expected to reach the same size as was reported before the economic crisis in 2009.

The increased demand for flat panel TVs, including full HD, LED, 3D and Slimline models; car audio and home theatres have all driven increased sales in the consumer electronics market. The most in-demand product within Russia's IT electronics goods market were mobile computers, including notebooks, netbooks and table PCs. The reduced price of HD video and HD digital camera products also drove sales within the digital photo market in Russia.

It is difficult to obtain accurate figures for the consumer electronics market in Russia due to the large amount of grey goods imported into the market. However, the growth of the largest retail chains in combination with the decline in the number of grey imports is expected to make estimates easier to record. A major portion of the consumer electronics market is sourced from Asia, Europe and the United States. All the major global brands are present in the Russian market. Local production is mainly sourced from a large number of small and medium sized Russian IT companies and several telecom manufacturers. Foreign investment is often a way, the global brands penetrate the domestic market. For instance, HP and Foxconn's joint venture worth US$50 million started with the production of HP desktop computers in St Petersburg in April 2010. In addition a US$700 million project was invested in Russia by the Russian State Nanotechnology Corporation ROSNANO and the British Plastic Logic company to produce "Plastic Logic 100 for Education" electronic textbooks specifically designed for the Russian education sector. Plastic Logic's investment alongside ROSNANO is building a factory for the manufacture of next-generation screens and devices in Zelenograd, soon to represent the largest factory in the World for plastic electronics. Other local manufacturers include ODMs (original design manufacturers) providing EMS (electronics manufacturing services) for contract manufacturing of CRT, PDP, and LCD TVs, as well as DVD players under the Sony, Panasonic, Akai and other well-known marks.

In terms of the distribution of electronic consumer goods, about 50% of consumer electronics marketed in Russia are sold by several of the largest retail chains that have hypermarkets and stores located in Moscow, St. Petersburg and other large cities. Another 25% are sold by regional chains, while the rest is sold by small retail companies and through the Internet. However, recently the share of products sold through the Internet significantly increased. According to Citibank Russia analytical department, the volume of products sold through Russian Internet in 2012 will increase by 33% and will reach $27 billion.