(Yicai Global) Dec. 06 -- Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. [NYSE:BABA] agrees a deal with two leading Russian food retail chains to introduce Alipay payment services in stores, marking the firm's first foray into the sector.

Lenta Ltd. and Dixy OAO [MCX:DIXY], Russia's third and fourth largest chains, will roll out the internet titan's payment services later this year or early next, Russian newspaper Rossiyskaya Gazeta reported yesterday.

Fast-food brand Dixy will begin testing the new system this month, said Bogdan Zadorozhny, Alipay's business development director for Russia, CIS and Middle East, with full operations expected to commence during February's Chinese New Year holiday. Lenta will start to accept Alipay payment in the first quarter of next year.

Alipay's entry into Russia's food retail sector reflects the high level of interest in local food among Chinese tourists. Alibaba will first introduce payments in supermarkets where there are high concentrations of Chinese businessmen and students, as well as in locations near airports, Zadorozhny added.

Alipay first entered the Russian market this summer, it was initially only available in upscale shops such as the Central Department Store and Moscow's State Department Store, as well as in Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior and Cartier luxury stores. Imperial Duty Free at the capital's Sheremetyevo Airport has since brought in the service.