Economic and Statistical Analysis of Performance Indicators of Small and Medium-sized Businesses in Russia

This thesis is aimed at conducting an economic and statistical analysis of the performance indicators of small and medium-sized businesses in Russia in the field of enterprises engaged in wholesale trade. The purpose of the work was to analyze the trade sector using the example of small and medium-sized businesses in Russia. In the course of the work, the data of enterprises for six years in this area (2017-2022) were considered. Based on the information found, a comprehensive analysis was carried out, which includes regression, correlation and cluster analyses. As a result of the practical part, it was planned to identify similarities and differences, weaknesses and strengths, problems and barriers of recent years, as well as prospects for the near future. During the detailed analysis, the authors put forward the following tasks: 1. To identify trends in the adaptation of enterprises caused by the shock events of 2022-2023; 2. Analyze the success factors of SMEs in the field of trade; 3. To form the information base of the study; 4. Conduct cluster, regression, and correlation analyses; 5. Analyze the results and draw meaningful conclusions. The objects of the study in the course of the work performed were the companies of the SME trading sector (wholesale trade). The subject of the study was processes, as well as indicators, their actual and possible fluctuations, changes and causes that could cause them. In the course of the work done, it was possible to identify two clusters of small and medium–sized businesses in Russia - less and more successful. Each of them showed the fact of the existence of economies of scale and the effective distribution of the number of employees, relative to the possible growth of the company. The performance indicators of medium-sized companies were mainly higher than those of small firms, with the exception of the time period 2017-2019. a cluster of more successful firms, where small firms showed a higher return on sales than the average. This was probably caused by the shock events of the coronavirus pandemic and the consequences of disrupting supply chains and sales of products, which had a greater impact on larger companies. It is interesting to note that the development of the manufacturing industry has a significant impact on the SME sector in the trade sector, which was established during the analysis. The crisis caused by the pandemic, as well as the sanctions that were imposed on the Russian Federation during a period of macroeconomic instability, led to serious problems. Nevertheless, Russian companies have begun to explore new markets and establish