The best trade workers were honored in Vitebsk
The success of the entire sector depends on the coordinated and precise work of each individual, their professional level, and dedication to their job, noted Oleg Matskevich, First Deputy Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee. On the eve of the professional holiday, over 50 trade workers were presented with various awards.
The Polotsk LLC "Sushi Shop" was awarded the Diploma of the Ministry of Antimonopoly Regulation and Trade of the Republic of Belarus "Bronze Mercury" for the best organization of public catering. The badge "Excellent Worker of Trade of the Republic of Belarus" was awarded to Natalia Dubko – section manager at OJSC "Dom Torgovli Novopolotska", Marina Kulik – cook at "Orsha-Service", and Tatyana Vorobyova – store manager at "Dionis – 11" OJSC "Resttrade".
Thanks to such employees, the trade industry generated 17.5 million rubles in profit in the first half of the current year. For 5 months of the current year, the industry not only withstood challenges but also found resources for development, emphasized Oleg Matskevich. It is sufficient to note that during this period, 45 new public catering establishments and 450 stores were opened. 70% of the goods on sale are of domestic production, which is the best indicator in the republic.
Analyzing the situation in trade and public catering, the head of the main department of trade and services of the regional executive committee, Irina Levkovich, specifically highlighted that she would like to see better results. For example, in retail sales, which amounted to 2.5 thousand rubles per capita, ranking fourth among the regions of the republic, while earlier Vitebsk region led in this indicator. The pace of 100.3% is also not very satisfactory. Only four districts – Gluboksky, Lioznensky, Tolochinsky, and Ushachsky – have fulfilled the assigned tasks. Particular concern is caused by the failure to fulfill the assigned task for the pace of retail sales in Polotsk region. Taking into account the commitments made within the framework of the Complex of measures for the development of Polotsk region until 2025, the task is set to achieve a retail sales growth rate of 105% by the end of 2021, however, for the first half of the year, the growth rate reached 100%.
Unfortunately, sales volumes in the system of the regional consumer union are decreasing. For the first six months, the figure was 87.3% compared to the same period last year.
Despite some revival observed in the operation of public catering facilities (the growth rate of public catering turnover is 116.1%), Vitebsk region ranked last among the regions of the republic. A similar situation is observed in wholesale sales (102.2%).
The financial situation of trade organizations remains challenging, emphasized Irina Levkovich. Despite making a profit, 15 trade enterprises (which is 19% of the total number of economic entities) incurred losses amounting to 21.5 million rubles. A positive aspect is that compared to the corresponding period last year, their amount decreased by 50 million rubles, or by 70%.
Today, it is important for buyers not only to have the product available but also its quality and affordable price. In this regard, trade is focused on fulfilling one of the main tasks – ensuring a stable price situation in the consumer market of the region.
The consumer price index in June of the current year, as emphasized by Irina Levkovich, was 105.2% and is the lowest among the regions of the republic. This is the result of the tremendous work of specialists from district executive committees and the main department of trade and services of the regional executive committee.
No matter how difficult it is today, the industry's infrastructure is developing. Among the newly opened facilities are the "Materik" hypermarket of "Ernis" LLC, the second phase of the "Trio" shopping center of "Firma Omega" CJSC in Vitebsk, the "Vesta" department store of "Vesta" OJSC in Polotsk, the "Kopeechka" grocery store of "Dobronom" CJSC in Orsha, etc.
The network of public catering facilities is expanding – 45 facilities with approximately a thousand seats have been opened this year. "Cafe 16" of the Vitebsk State Polytechnic Lyceum, the modern food court in the "Trio" shopping center in Vitebsk, a coffee shop of an individual entrepreneur in Orsha, "Lubaliya" cafe in Polotsk, etc., are attracting increased interest from visitors.
The measures taken have ensured stability in the consumer market, prevented panic buying and supply disruptions, noted Irina Levkovich, and outlined a range of topical issues for the near future. These include the sale of goods for the new academic year, the preparation of catering facilities for schoolchildren, the stocking of products in the stabilization fund, the transition to electronic invoices for goods marked with unprotected identification means, etc.