To this day, Russians wishing to purchase Apple products must go through another company, such as Amazon or eBay. Recent events lead Moscow News to believe that Apple will soon open retail stores in Russia for the first time. Additionally, Apple will begin direct sales to Russia through the Apple Online Store and other authorized resellers.

Moscow News states that Apple has registered a Russian company named Apple Rus. Additionally, Apple executives visited Russia in Spring 2011, most likely to find a place to build an Apple retail store. Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev visited Apple’s campus in 2010 in order to encourage technology businesses in Russia and to welcome U.S. businesses to have ties to Russia.

Direct Apple product sales in Russia will give Russians faster access to newer products, as well as the ability to receive new, market-value products instead of resold products from sites like Amazon and eBay. Russia plays a large role in the technology market.  Therefore, Apple retail stores in Russia would benefit both Apple and Russia.

An unnamed source claims that direct sales to Russia could start in 2013. However, it is unclear when Apple will open retail stores in Russia.