Retail chains should be involved in serving the population in small villages, even those considered unpromising. This was stated by President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko on August 26 at a meeting on the effectiveness of the retail service system for the population nationwide, as reported by a BELTA correspondent.
"Retail chains should be involved in serving the population in small villages, even those considered unpromising," the head of state instructed. "A balance must be ensured: if you build a profitable business in the capital and other large cities, then assume social responsibility for serving consumers in rural areas. Especially since there are not so many problem regions."
"I want you to hear this. All our smart traders have rushed to the big cities, built shops here, and are living well, although all the owners and proprietors are on the French Riviera. So, organise it so that they work there, in the hinterland," the President voiced his demand. He stated that the tools for this exist. For example, recently, opportunities for large retail chains to reach consumers were expanded in eight districts of the country.
Alexander Lukashenko recalled that when appointing Artur Karpovich as Minister of Trade and Antitrust Regulation, he instructed him to reach every remote corner of the country and establish order there. The head of state asked how the retail service system for the population in rural areas is structured by organisations of all forms of ownership, what has been done in reality, not just in plans. Separately, the President inquired about the availability of product range in shops, methods for resolving staffing issues and attracting sales assistants to rural shops, and minimising losses for retail organisations.