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Billionaire Profile
Igor Yakovlev
Global Rank
#2790

Image: Public domain | via Wikimedia Commons

Igor Yakovlev

CEO, Kari
RU
Real-Time Net Worth
$1.4B
As of December 2025
Age
60
Source
home appliance stores, Self Made
Industry
fashion-retail
Citizenship
RU

Biography

Igor Yakovlev is a Russian self-made billionaire, renowned for founding the Kari retail chain, specializing in shoes, accessories, and household goods. With a net worth of $1.4 billion as of April 2024. His wealth source stems from his venture in home appliance stores and Kari, with over 1,200 stores across Russia. Yakovlev, 60 years old, established Kari in 2012, transforming it into a dominant force in the Russian retail market through a disciplined approach to expansion and a keen understanding of consumer trends. His career also includes a stake in Sulpak, a major consumer electronics retailer in Kazakhstan, and earlier investments in the Russian professional soccer club Anzhi Makhachkala.

Wealth Over Time

In-Depth Profile

Early Life and Education

Igor Yakovlev, a Russian entrepreneur, was born in January 1965. He holds a Master of Science in Engineering from Dagestan Polytechnic Institute. This early education in engineering appears to have laid a foundation for his entrepreneurial ventures, equipping him with the skills necessary to build and manage complex businesses.

Rise to Success: Founding Eldorado and Kari

Yakovlev's career took off in the 1990s when he founded Eldorado, which he built into one of Russia's largest electronics retail chains. He sold his stake in Eldorado in 2011. After selling Eldorado, Yakovlev turned his focus to the footwear and accessories market with Kari, which he launched in 2012. Kari quickly expanded to over 1,200 locations across Russia.

Key Business Strategies

A core strategy behind Yakovlev's success has been his focus on accessibility and affordability. Kari's rapid expansion across Russia was driven by a volume-based retailing model, establishing a strong presence in major cities.

Philanthropy

Specific details regarding Yakovlev's philanthropy are not readily available in the search results.

Career Milestones

1994

Founded Eldorado

Co-founded Eldorado, a consumer electronics retail chain that grew into one of the largest in Russia.

2012

Founded Kari

Founded Kari, a retail chain specializing in shoes, accessories, and household goods.