From shopping mall to mobile shop: Sergey Levkovich assessed the range of goods in the resort area of Vitebsk region
We made sure that Braslav region has everything. We found "Red Velvet" cake, a line of healthy food, and natural sausage made from fresh meat, were convinced of the huge selection of dairy products, and also learned that the mobile shop reaches such remote areas where, as locals note, "even the Germans didn't reach during the war."
While the President's Aide was communicating with the management of the retail outlets, we went to talk with customers and sellers.
– I am satisfied with everything! Even in Minsk, we don't have such an assortment. I found cranberry-grape juice, I'll take it! Everything is super! We give it a 10 out of 10! – confidently states Irina from Minsk, whom we met at the shopping center with her children.
Another customer supports her. The woman recently returned from Poland, so she objectively compares prices and assortment:
– I am satisfied with our trade. In Poland, some things are cheaper than ours, but many are more expensive. The assortment is definitely better here!
At the "dairy" counter, seller Anna Krivel is arranging another batch of goods:
– We order a lot from different manufacturers, not only from Vitebsk. We have a huge display and a wide assortment, we sell everything. Customers gladly return for fresh products.
The opinion of guests is, of course, valuable, but locals also praise this retail outlet.
Olga from Braslav noted that you can find almost everything here: from children's clothing and household chemicals to fresh fruits (by the way, we noted that nectarines in Braslav cost 4 rubles per kilogram, while in Vitebsk we saw them for 6-8 rubles).
– It's convenient that you don't have to run around different stores. I'm currently choosing nice wine glasses – we're expecting guests. I buy diapers and cosmetics here. The meat department is also good. Prices are generally okay too. If something is more expensive, you can get another item with a good discount. The total bill doesn't hit the pocket too hard in the end.
Violeta from Ops does not hide her delight:
– The store is gorgeous, we like everything here. They have things that you can't buy anywhere else. For example, healthy food products. The assortment for "healthy lifestyle" enthusiasts is good. I always buy flaxseed bread for myself. Reasonable prices for meat and semi-finished products. The children and grandchildren love the confectionery department, they have cakes: the classic "Napoleon", "Muraveynik", and even the trendy "Red Velvet", not to mention dozens of types of fresh pastries.
– I am pleasantly surprised by the retail outlets in Braslav. The assortment is really no worse than in the capital. And I visit stores in Minsk and Vitebsk quite often. A decent selection of various types of products: from household chemicals to food products. The number of customers is also pleasing, – notes Sergey Levkovich.
Cashier Regina Smilgina confirms the observations of the President's aide:
– There are many customers now, both locals and visitors, during the season. I serve about 500 people a day at the checkout on weekdays, and up to 700 per shift on holidays and weekends.
Sergey Levkovich's monitoring is not limited to exemplary shopping centers. We moved to the branded store of the local agricultural enterprise "Mayak Braslavsky". The farm has two of them, plus the district's population, along with consumer cooperatives and private traders, is also served by the "Mayak" mobile shop.
– We sell up to 300 kg of raw meat products alone per day. Everything we have is fresh. We don't sell frozen products, which is why customers love us, and also because our sausage is truly "made of meat," not "with meat," – says salesperson Zoya Anokhina with pride and offers to buy their signature "With Onion" sausage.
But we are not here for a delicious shopping spree, so we head further from the district center, where there are definitely no shops within walking distance.
At the bus stop near Vayniuntsy (25 km from the district center), four women were waiting for the "Mayak Braslavsky" mobile shop; later, two more cars with customers arrived.
– The mobile shop comes according to the schedule every Thursday. We buy fresh meat, sausage, and hot dogs. Everything is at pleasant prices, without unnecessary markups. On other days, mobile shops bring us bread and other products. They can also work on special orders. We like everything. We have enough goods, – shared a local resident.
– We can bring products right to your home and even deliver them to your doorstep. After all, people have different circumstances. Everyone has my phone number. We will always help, – shared the salesperson.
The mobile shop travels 100-150 km daily. It all depends on the route, which, as locals shared, even includes villages "where the Germans didn't reach during the war." Mobile trade also covers the border zone. They also deliver goods to the Urbany checkpoint. However, with the closure of borders, the number of customers has decreased.
Previously, residents of the border regions of Latvia and truck drivers lined up for Belarusian goods. Now, unfortunately, they no longer have this opportunity.
– We see that trade in rural areas is represented by both consumer cooperatives and the private sector. They are ready to provide food products to the population of the Braslav district and their own agricultural enterprises. And most importantly, they can earn money from this. As for prices, according to statistical data for the first five months of this year, the price index for food and non-food products in the Vitebsk region increased compared to last year and amounted to 105.6%. But this indicator is not so important, as the population's income has also grown. Nominal wages in the region for the same period increased by 19%. It is obvious that the purchasing power of our population is growing. The country has a price regulation system that is working and showing its effectiveness, – noted Sergey Levkovich.
Facts and figures: In the Braslav district, there are more than 330 trade facilities. 84 of them are located in rural areas.