$41.53↓0.06

€46.80↓0.27

uk en ru

Photos with Usyk and a trial between clones: something about the smaller players in the "gray" tech market

The editorial staff of the Ukrainian Forbes published an interesting text about the history of the "gray" mobile phone market in Ukraine. We recommend that you read it in full here.

In short, in the 2000s, the mobile phone market in Ukraine was divided into "white" (official importers), "gray" (smuggled phones that were sold with a minimal margin to official prices), and "black" (stolen phones).

The "gray" market emerged because official importers artificially inflated prices, while in neighboring countries, phones were cheaper.

After 2014, with the rise of patriotism and the weakening of the hryvnia, smuggling became less profitable. However, new players emerged who began to import goods legally, but with minimal margins, saving on everything: renting smaller stores, employing fewer staff, and, most importantly, minimizing taxes.

The author of the Forbes text mentions several key players in this market:

* **"Citrus"** – initially a major player in the "gray" market, later rebranded and tried to operate legally.
* **"Allo"** – another major player that allegedly used "gray" schemes.
* **"Rozetka"** – initially sold mainly electronics, later expanded its product range.

However, the text does not mention smaller, but still noticeable players who also played a role in this market. Here are a few examples:

* **"Mobile Telephone Systems" (MTS)** – a network of stores that sold phones and accessories. They were known for offering competitive prices and a wide range of products. The company was associated with **Mykola Chebotarov**, who later became known as a boxing promoter and worked with Oleksandr Usyk. Photos of Chebotarov and Usyk were even used in MTS advertising materials.

* **"Eldorado"** – a large electronics and home appliance retailer that also sold mobile phones. It was considered a more "white" player, but it likely also used "gray" schemes to some extent.

* **"Foxtrot"** – another major electronics and home appliance retailer. Similar to Eldorado, it tried to operate legally but likely used "gray" imports to remain competitive.

* **"TTC" (Твій Телефонний Центр – Your Telephone Center)** – a network of stores that sold phones and accessories. They were known for offering a wide range of Chinese phones, including clones of popular models.

**The Trial of Clones**

The text also mentions the emergence of Chinese clones of popular phones. This phenomenon led to interesting legal battles. For example, in the mid-2000s, a lawsuit was filed between two companies that sold clones of Nokia phones. One company accused the other of copying not only the design of the phones but also the software and even the packaging. This case became a symbol of the "wild" nature of the Ukrainian electronics market at that time.

In conclusion, the "gray" market of electronics in Ukraine was a complex and multifaceted phenomenon with its own rules and key players. It shaped the landscape of retail trade and influenced consumer behavior. While major players like "Citrus" and "Allo" are well-known, smaller players like MTS, Eldorado, Foxtrot, and TTC also played a significant role in this market. And the "trial of clones" became a peculiar symbol of that era.

Exclusive

11:01 AM • 3492 views

Photos with Usyk and a trial between clones: something about the smaller players in the "gray" tech market The editorial staff of the Ukrainian Forbes published an interesting text about the history of the "gray" mobile phone market in Ukraine. We recommend that you read it in full here. In short, in the 2000s, the mobile phone market in Ukraine was divided into "white" (official importers), "gray" (smuggled phones that were sold with a minimal margin to official prices), and "black" (stolen phones). The "gray" market emerged because official importers artificially inflated prices, while in neighboring countries, phones were cheaper. After 2014, with the rise of patriotism and the weakening of the hryvnia, smuggling became less profitable. However, new players emerged who began to import goods legally, but with minimal margins, saving on everything: renting smaller stores, employing fewer staff, and, most importantly, minimizing taxes. The author of the Forbes text mentions several key players in this market: * "Citrus" – initially a major player in the "gray" market, later rebranded and tried to operate legally. * "Allo" – another major player that allegedly used "gray" schemes. * "Rozetka" – initially sold mainly electronics, later expanded its product range. However, the text does not mention smaller, but still noticeable players who also played a role in this market. Here are a few examples: * "Mobile Telephone Systems" (MTS) – a network of stores that sold phones and accessories. They were known for offering competitive prices and a wide range of products. The company was associated with Mykola Chebotarov, who later became known as a boxing promoter and worked with Oleksandr Usyk. Photos of Chebotarov and Usyk were even used in MTS advertising materials. * "Eldorado" – a large electronics and home appliance retailer that also sold mobile phones. It was considered a more "white" player, but it likely also used "gray" schemes to some extent. * "Foxtrot" – another major electronics and home appliance retailer. Similar to Eldorado, it tried to operate legally but likely used "gray" imports to remain competitive. * "TTC" (Твій Телефонний Центр – Your Telephone Center) – a network of stores that sold phones and accessories. They were known for offering a wide range of Chinese phones, including clones of popular models. The Trial of Clones The text also mentions the emergence of Chinese clones of popular phones. This phenomenon led to interesting legal battles. For example, in the mid-2000s, a lawsuit was filed between two companies that sold clones of Nokia phones. One company accused the other of copying not only the design of the phones but also the software and even the packaging. This case became a symbol of the "wild" nature of the Ukrainian electronics market at that time. In conclusion, the "gray" market of electronics in Ukraine was a complex and multifaceted phenomenon with its own rules and key players. It shaped the landscape of retail trade and influenced consumer behavior. While major players like "Citrus" and "Allo" are well-known, smaller players like MTS, Eldorado, Foxtrot, and TTC also played a significant role in this market. And the "trial of clones" became a peculiar symbol of that era.

10:40 AM • 1102 views

Elon Musk Leaves the White House: What Were 130 Days as a Trump Advisor Remembered For?

Exclusive

08:52 AM • 21260 views

How the war affected young Ukrainians - an interview with the Head of the State Service for Children's Affairs

07:41 AM • 33136 views

Preparation for the second round of negotiations with the Russian Federation in Istanbul: what is known at the moment

06:54 AM • 24024 views

Situation in Sumy region: the enemy is trying to advance, there is a certain "gray zone", evacuation is actively underway - RMA

May 29, 11:10 PM • 26497 views

The US threatens to withdraw from peace talks on Ukraine: condition named

May 29, 01:16 PM • 148494 views

How the Last Bell 2025 will be held in Ukraine: safety and regional features

May 29, 10:11 AM • 163320 views

Among citizens undergoing repeat military medical examinations, 99% are found fit for military service - Venislavskyi

May 29, 08:40 AM • 140726 views

New meeting in the "Ramstein" format will be held on June 4 - NATO

Exclusive

May 29, 08:12 AM • 124611 views

When gluten-free is not about fashion: what is celiac disease and how to live with it

Russia announces the downing of a drone over the Kursk region

Kyiv • UNN

December 29 2023, 04:50 AM • 42839 views

Russian air defense shoots down a Ukrainian drone over Kursk, reports the Russian Defense Ministry.

Russia announces the downing of a drone over the Kursk region

Russian air defense systems allegedly destroyed a Ukrainian aircraft-type drone over the Kursk region. This was reported by the Ministry of Defense of Russia, UNN reports.

Details

According to them, it is about a Ukrainian drone

By means of the Russian Ukrainian air defense destroyed a Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle over the territory of Kursk region
the agency noted.

Russia claims to have shot down two "Ukrainian" drones in Kursk region22.12.23, 00:31 • 36262 views

Lilia Podolyak

War

Brent

$63.89

Bitcoin

$105,928.90

S&P 500

$5,899.45

Tesla

$358.77

Газ TTF

$35.30

Золото

$3,319.30

Ethereum

$2,623.35

Elon Musk Leaves the White House: What Were 130 Days as a Trump Advisor Remembered For?

How the war affected young Ukrainians - an interview with the Head of the State Service for Children's Affairs

Preparation for the second round of negotiations with the Russian Federation in Istanbul: what is known at the moment

Situation in Sumy region: the enemy is trying to advance, there is a certain "gray zone", evacuation is actively underway - RMA

The US threatens to withdraw from peace talks on Ukraine: condition named

How the Last Bell 2025 will be held in Ukraine: safety and regional features

Among citizens undergoing repeat military medical examinations, 99% are found fit for military service - Venislavskyi

New meeting in the "Ramstein" format will be held on June 4 - NATO

When gluten-free is not about fashion: what is celiac disease and how to live with it

Negotiations between Ukraine and Russia: the US, Britain, France and Germany will be present at the level of security advisors - Kellogg

"Shahed" strike on Izium: the enemy attacked the industrial zone

Von der Leyen: Europe must increase defense spending and accept Ukraine into the EU

Summer without shirts: Justin Bieber and son greet the warm days

"Tom Cruise would have scared us more than Brad Pitt" - Director of "Formula 1" about the choice of actor for the film

Elon Musk Leaves the White House: What Were 130 Days as a Trump Advisor Remembered For?

How the war affected young Ukrainians - an interview with the Head of the State Service for Children's Affairs
Exclusive

Preparation for the second round of negotiations with the Russian Federation in Istanbul: what is known at the moment

How the Last Bell 2025 will be held in Ukraine: safety and regional features

Will Summer Begin with Magnetic Storms: Dates and Intensity of Geomagnetic Fluctuations in June

Denis Shmyhal

Donald Trump

Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Hakan Fidan

Keith Kellogg

Ukraine

United States

Turkey

Istanbul

White House

"Tom Cruise would have scared us more than Brad Pitt" - Director of "Formula 1" about the choice of actor for the film

Summer without shirts: Justin Bieber and son greet the warm days

"Playing God" with music by Nube qualifies for the Oscars after winning at Animayo

Hailey Bieber sold the Rhode brand for a billion dollars

The Last Of Us: series creators hinted at Pedro Pascal's return in the third season

Telegram

Starlink

Shahed-136

Financial Times

TikTok

Russia announces the downing of a drone over the Kursk region

Elon Musk Leaves the White House: What Were 130 Days as a Trump Advisor Remembered For?

How the war affected young Ukrainians - an interview with the Head of the State Service for Children's Affairs

Preparation for the second round of negotiations with the Russian Federation in Istanbul: what is known at the moment

Situation in Sumy region: the enemy is trying to advance, there is a certain "gray zone", evacuation is actively underway - RMA

The US threatens to withdraw from peace talks on Ukraine: condition named

How the Last Bell 2025 will be held in Ukraine: safety and regional features

Among citizens undergoing repeat military medical examinations, 99% are found fit for military service - Venislavskyi

New meeting in the "Ramstein" format will be held on June 4 - NATO

When gluten-free is not about fashion: what is celiac disease and how to live with it

Negotiations between Ukraine and Russia: the US, Britain, France and Germany will be present at the level of security advisors - Kellogg

"Shahed" strike on Izium: the enemy attacked the industrial zone

Von der Leyen: Europe must increase defense spending and accept Ukraine into the EU

Summer without shirts: Justin Bieber and son greet the warm days

"Tom Cruise would have scared us more than Brad Pitt" - Director of "Formula 1" about the choice of actor for the film

Elon Musk Leaves the White House: What Were 130 Days as a Trump Advisor Remembered For?

How the war affected young Ukrainians - an interview with the Head of the State Service for Children's Affairs Exclusive

Preparation for the second round of negotiations with the Russian Federation in Istanbul: what is known at the moment

How the Last Bell 2025 will be held in Ukraine: safety and regional features

Will Summer Begin with Magnetic Storms: Dates and Intensity of Geomagnetic Fluctuations in June

Denis Shmyhal

Donald Trump

Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Hakan Fidan

Keith Kellogg

Ukraine

United States

Turkey

Istanbul

White House

"Tom Cruise would have scared us more than Brad Pitt" - Director of "Formula 1" about the choice of actor for the film

Summer without shirts: Justin Bieber and son greet the warm days

"Playing God" with music by Nube qualifies for the Oscars after winning at Animayo

Hailey Bieber sold the Rhode brand for a billion dollars

The Last Of Us: series creators hinted at Pedro Pascal's return in the third season

Telegram

Starlink

Shahed-136

Financial Times

TikTok

Russia announces the downing of a drone over the Kursk region

How the war affected young Ukrainians - an interview with the Head of the State Service for Children's Affairs
Exclusive