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"If I open an online store, will it pay off?" Shop owners and small manufacturers ask us this often. E-commerce in Uzbekistan has grown noticeably, but a growing market doesn't guarantee a profit for every business. Below we look at the official figures first, then at what they mean for you: who should sell online now, who can wait, and what a small business needs at a minimum to start.
The technical side — how to open a store step by step — is covered in our complete guide to opening an online store. This article answers the earlier question: is it worth starting at all?
The market in numbers
According to the National Agency for Perspective Projects, goods sold through e-commerce in Uzbekistan grew 1.5 times in 2025, reaching 22.7 trillion soums. That is 4.6% of all retail trade, up from 3.7% a year earlier. In 2020, online sales were just over 1 trillion soums, or 0.5% of retail. The figures were published by UzDaily and Kursiv Uzbekistan in February 2026.
The number of e-commerce platforms grew from 36 to 115 over the same year — a 3.2-fold increase.
DataReportal's "Digital 2026: Uzbekistan" report counts 33.1 million internet users at the end of 2025, or 89% of the population.
What these numbers mean for a business owner
The growth is real. In five years, online sales went from about 1 trillion to 22.7 trillion soums. Buyers now pay by card, wait for couriers and choose from photos — once the main barriers.
The market is still early. Over 95% of retail still happens offline. There is room to grow, and businesses that go online now build their customer base, reviews and search positions before latecomers do.
Competition is rising fast. The number of platforms more than tripled in a year. "Open a website and orders will come" isn't how it works: an online channel needs the same effort as a shop — range, price and service.
So a growing market doesn't mean every business needs an online store. It depends on your product and your processes.
Who should open an online store now
It's worth it if...
Demand already exists. Customers message you on Telegram or Instagram: "in stock?", "how much?", "do you deliver?". You already take orders — just manually and slowly.
The product is easy to show and describe. Household goods, cosmetics, stationery, spare parts, books and toys are bought confidently without seeing them in person.
Customers buy repeatedly. Regulars quickly switch to ordering online.
You want to sell beyond your city. An online channel reaches other regions far more cheaply than a new branch.
Your margin can carry delivery. If the markup covers packaging, couriers and returns, online sales make money.
Don't rush yet if...
The product is hard to choose without trying it, and margins are low. In clothing, returns are frequent, and you pay for delivery twice on every returned order.
Nobody can answer orders. Online buyers expect quick replies; a customer left waiting for hours usually buys elsewhere.
Stock isn't tracked. An item shown as "in stock" that has run out is the fastest way to lose trust.
The range is tiny. For 5–10 products, a full store is often overkill; a Telegram channel and an order bot are a cheaper start.
Three routes: a marketplace, Telegram or your own store
These routes don't exclude each other. The key difference is who owns the customer and where the costs come from.
A marketplace. Uzum Market, as well as Wildberries and Ozon, which operate in Uzbekistan, give you an audience and logistics. In return they take a commission on every sale, and the customer base stays with the platform. Price competition is tough: buyers compare dozens of sellers on one page.
A Telegram shop. Your audience is already on Telegram, so it's a natural channel in Uzbekistan. A Telegram bot or mini app with a catalogue, cart and payment launches quickly and suits a small range. The downside: it brings no new buyers from Google.
Your own online store. The brand, pricing and customer base are yours, and product pages can attract free search traffic. But you must bring in visitors yourself, and launching takes longer. Building an online store pays off most once your range grows and regular customers appear.
For many businesses the realistic answer is a mix: a marketplace for new buyers, Telegram for regulars, and your own site for the brand and search traffic.
The minimum to settle before selling online
Before paying for a website or a bot, check that your processes are ready.
Product information. A good photo, an exact price and a short description for every item.
Response routine. Who answers messages and confirms orders, and when.
Delivery and payment. How you deliver in the city and to the regions, at what cost, and how customers pay — by card via Payme or Click, or cash on delivery.
Return policy. A simple rule written in advance reduces disputes and reassures buyers.
Order records. Even a spreadsheet: every order, its status and the customer's contact. This data later drives repeat sales and advertising.
If two of these five are unresolved, fix them first — otherwise a new channel brings problems, not orders.
How to measure results
For the first three months, track four numbers every week.
Orders and average order value — is the channel growing?
Conversion rate — what share of visitors or people who asked a question bought?
Repeat purchases — do customers come back?
Customer acquisition cost — ad spend divided by the number of new customers.
Then your next step — more ads, a wider range or another channel — is a calculation, not a guess.
Conclusion
E-commerce in Uzbekistan is growing fast: 22.7 trillion soums in 2025, yet still only 4.6% of retail.
An online store is worth it when demand exists, the product suits online sales and your processes are ready.
Start small: test Telegram or a marketplace, measure, then move to your own store.
We can help you choose where to start. See the options and prices on the online store service page, or message us on Telegram: t.me/uproject_support. Tell us what you sell and in what volume — we won't propose anything you don't need.
FAQ
How much does it cost to open an online store?
It depends on the number of products, features and integrations such as payments, delivery and 1C. Indicative prices are on the service page; an exact estimate follows a discussion of the task. To lower the starting cost, begin with a Telegram bot or a marketplace.
I sell on a marketplace. Do I need my own website?
Your own site reduces risk: if the platform raises its commission or changes its rules, you keep your own customer base and channel.
Isn't a Telegram shop enough?
For a small range and mostly regular customers, often yes. But Telegram brings no new buyers from Google. If people search for your product online, you need your own website.
When will I see results?
The first online orders usually come from existing customers as soon as you tell them about the new channel. Search traffic takes months to build, so rely on your current audience at the start.