Many household services, such as dry cleaning, laundry, shoe and clothing repair, and equipment repair, were in high demand among residents of large cities and small settlements even during the Soviet era. It was much easier and cheaper to get an item repaired than to buy a new one. With the advent of mass-market and online stores offering quite affordable goods, household service complexes lost some of their clientele, and some were forced to close. In addition, private ateliers, hairdressers, beauty salons, and repair workshops have been opening recently. How to maintain the entire "household service" sector in conditions of high market competition, what is still popular with residents of remote areas, and what are the most unusual orders received from residents of Polotsk region, were told to a BELTA correspondent by employees of JSC "Polotskbyt", which has been successfully operating in the industry for over 70 years.
The organisation employs about 110 people. The complex provides eight socially significant services, including to the population of Polotsk and adjacent districts - Ushachy, Verkhnedvinsk, Rossony. JSC includes five comprehensive reception points in rural areas. Here, residents of villages and hamlets bring items for dry cleaning, repair, and mending on a specific day (usually announced in advance by the village executive committee, with which the enterprise maintains contact). "Polotskbyt" is equipped with the necessary transport, so it accepts quite bulky items such as pillows, blankets, and carpets from villagers. The turnaround time and cost are announced on the spot, so the customer knows the total expense. The most popular services in remote areas are hairdressing and clothing repair, which are also provided by the household service centre employees on-site on specific days. On the eve of public holidays, such as Victory Day, discounts on haircuts are offered to veterans and pensioners of certain categories, and such "discounts" are in high demand among the golden-aged population.
In general, the number of household services provided by "Polotskbyt" in various areas is about 20. Five of them are profitable enough to generate income for the enterprise and allow it to keep open those services that do not bring large profits but are still in demand among the residents of Polotsk and rural areas. Dry cleaning is one of these services.
Customer feedback on its quality is exclusively positive, and a constant flow of clients serves as confirmation. This is thanks to not only good equipment but also the experience of the staff. When accepting items from citizens, specialists immediately point out defects, potential outcomes, and discuss warranty terms. "We always recommend keeping the clothing label, which indicates the type of treatment recommended. This includes, for example, dry cleaning, delicate washing, and the possibility of using so-called chemical treatments. This information allows for correct and high-quality cleaning and ensures an excellent result. We also strongly recommend not attempting to remove any stains (from grease, paint, drinks, plant juice) at home with various agents, and not to rub them. Simply do not touch them. Even if the item has been at home for a month or two, we can deal with the soiling, but only on the condition that it has not been treated with household 'chemicals'. Otherwise, the result may be unpredictable, and we will not be able to provide a guarantee to the client," shared valuable advice the employees of the household services centre.
At one time, shoe repair was also profitable at the household services combine. Now, marketplaces and shops offer shoes, trainers, boots, and ankle boots, including children's ones, at such prices that people consider it easier to buy new ones than to repair a worn-out old pair. Currently, shoes made of natural materials, which are truly a shame to throw away, are usually brought in for repair. Pensioners most often use this service.
"We keep the prices for the services provided almost unchanged, increasing them very rarely, because we understand that otherwise, clients will leave. For many, the cost is a decisive factor. Analysing the activities of other household services combines, we can say that our price range is one of the lowest in the region," emphasise the employees of "Polotskbyt".
The enterprise also makes it a point to count every earned kopeck. Modernisation and equipment procurement, for example, for laundries, are carried out using own funds.
The sewing atelier at the household services centre remains consistently popular. "All individual tailoring is done here," say the seamstresses, some of whom have a work experience approaching 40 years.
Typically, orders are received from educational, cultural, and sports institutions that require unique, distinctive, or, conversely, identical costumes, such as dance costumes for entire ensembles. The atelier also has regular clients who value individuality. For example, one elderly resident of Polotsk prefers to dress exclusively with the help of the household services masters because they can create patterns "from internet pictures," tailor everything to fit her figure, and advise on what best suits her style, eye colour, and so on. Sometimes, the specialists, together with her, sketch a model based on a verbal "portrait," resulting in a wonderful creative tandem between the client and the pattern cutter who understands the customer implicitly.
The most unusual order for the seamstresses was a wedding dress – three-layered, silk, and richly decorated. They handled it successfully, and the bride was very pleased.
The craftswomen also sew in-demand bed linen made from natural fabrics. This also enjoys popularity and contributes to the enterprise's revenue. There are also some challenging issues at "Polotskbyt," one of which is qualified personnel. For instance, they are in need of seamstresses. To attract workers and employees, the enterprise has entered into a cooperation agreement with the Polotsk State College of Chemistry and Technology. Last year, the household services complex hired three young specialists. Incidentally, special working conditions are created for new recruits; for example, for the first six months, they are not assigned individual work plans, and their output norms are reduced by 20%. Alesya PUSNYAKOVA, photos by Alexander KHITROV