Two Deteriorating Belarusian Trade Problems

There is a bad time for shopping in Belarus.

The decline in retail trade is deteriorating in Belarus. In January-August, it decreased by 2% compared to the same period last year. This follows from the Belstat's data. A month earlier, the fall was at 1.5%. At the same time, average individual expenses are growing, that is, they have to spend more money on goods.

Retail turnover for eight months of this year amounted to 44 billion rubles. This is 2% less in comparable prices than in the same period last year. The fall of this indicator occurs against the backdrop of record annual inflation and a decline in the real incomes of people.

At the same time, the expenses of Belarusians in shops, shopping centers and markets continue to grow. One-day retail turnover for a person since the beginning of the year amounted to 19.5 rubles. A year earlier, this figure was 17.1 rubles.

The turnover of public catering in January-August was in positive territory, it added 1.1% in comparable prices of the same period last year.