The modern economy has taken the path of innovation development. The beginning of the XXI century is associated with a breakthrough in information processing after the invention of electronic computing technology. Currently, there is a rapid development of digital technologies and, as a result, the country’s economy has received a digital focus of development. In this regard, it becomes interesting to study the possibilities for the development of branches of the Russian economy after the introduction of digitalization. This explains the relevance of the chosen topic. This study was carried out using general economic methods, analysis of statistical data and a systematic approach to the description of the digitization of industries. According to the results of the study, it was revealed that digitalization will affect absolutely all sectors of the economy, trade and human life. The results of the introduction of digital technologies will open up significant economic and social benefits. In the coming decades, the countries with the highest level of digitalization will have a competitive advantage in the global market. © Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020.