X5 Retail Group said its multi-format strategy has allowed it to circumvent some of the harsher effects that the economic downturn has had on consumer spending in the country.

X5 has posted relatively stable like-for-like sales growth since the onset of the economic crisis, outperforming its competition, chief executive Lev Khasis claimed.

During the first nine months of the year, X5 like-for-like sales rose 9% – the highest like-for-like growth rate among Russia retailers.