Early Life and Career
Igor Albertovich Kesaev was born on October 30, 1966, in Ordzhonikidze (now Vladikavkaz), North Ossetia, Russia. After graduating from the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO) in 1993, Kesaev embarked on a career in business. In 1991, he founded Mercury, a trading company. Initially focused on importing food and alcohol, Mercury quickly expanded into tobacco distribution, becoming the primary distributor for Philip Morris in Russia.
Rise to Success
Under Kesaev's leadership, Mercury experienced exponential growth, becoming the largest tobacco distributor in Russia. The company's success was significantly boosted by partnerships with major international tobacco companies. Japan Tobacco International and Philip Morris International each acquired a 20% stake in Megapolis in 2013. The company controls 70% of the Russian cigarette market. In 1998, Kesaev became the President of the Mercury Group of Companies. Mercury also expanded into the retail sector, including the acquisition of the Dixy supermarket chain in 2007. In 2019, he merged his Dixy supermarket chain with alcohol stores to create one of the largest retailers in Russia.
Key Business Strategies
Kesaev's business strategy involved building strong relationships with international companies, acquiring regional competitors, and establishing a robust distribution network. The success of Mercury was built on becoming the exclusive distributor for several major brands, and it grew through strategic acquisitions. In 2013, a major deal was made with Philip Morris and Japan Tobacco International acquiring a 40% stake in Megapolis for $1.5 billion.
Philanthropy
Kesaev's wife, Stella, heads the Stella Art Foundation.
