The development and improvement of the digital economy has laid the groundwork for the transformation of competitiveness management in industrial enterprises. These processes need to be studied in depth. Aim. The presented study aims to assess the importance of the digital economy for maintaining and improving the competitiveness of industrial enterprises. Tasks. The authors examine general trends, Russian and foreign experience of ensuring the competitiveness of industrial enterprises in the digital economy and develop a strategy for enhancing competitiveness under the influence of digitalization. Methods. This study uses general scientific methods of cognition such as comparison, deduction and induction, analysis, observation, generalization, and systematization. Results. An upward trend in global digitalization is determined, which increases the importance and relevance of studying its impact on the competitiveness of industrial enterprises. The countries of the Asia-Pacific region are the trailblazers in using innovations. Positive foreign experience of implementing digitalization tools serves as an example for Russian industrial enterprises. Russian enterprises are willing, but not always able, to use digital technologies. Industrial enterprises can choose certain strategies for implementing innovations in competition. Conclusions. The competitiveness of industrial enterprises under modern conditions can only be ensured by implementing the tools and technologies offered by the digital economy through the formation of a solid base of stability and security in competition.