The consumer market of the Vitebsk region is characterised by stability and high product availability, with sales growth recorded for most product categories monitored by statistics. This conclusion was reached at a meeting of the collegium of the Main Department of Trade and Services with the participation of the Deputy Chairperson of the Regional Executive Committee, Anzhelika Nikitina, and representatives of the Main Department of the Ministry of Antimonopoly Regulation and Trade, and the Committee of State Control.
The agenda included the results of the sector's performance for the first nine months of the current year. Many indicators are encouraging. For instance, our region maintains a leading position among the republic's regions in terms of the share of Belarusian products in retail turnover, which amounted to 63.1%.
– A positive trend is observed in the growth rate of retail turnover through all sales channels – 105.4%. Per capita, it amounted to 6.6 thousand rubles. The growth rate of public catering turnover was 102.9%, – explained the Deputy Head of the Main Department of Trade and Services of the Regional Executive Committee, Alexey Bogachev.
According to data from the National Statistical Committee of the Republic of Belarus, the consumer price index for the region in September 2025 compared to December 2024 was lower than for the republic as a whole, standing at 105.7%. Our region holds a leading position in the republic for the effectiveness of control and analytical measures concerning compliance with legislation on prices and pricing. This undoubtedly contributes to maintaining a stable price situation in the region.
A developed infrastructure has been established in the region, comprising over 13,000 retail outlets of various formats, 79 shopping centres, 51 markets, and over 1,800 public catering establishments.
– Great attention is paid to serving the rural population. Work is constantly underway to reduce the burden on the consumer cooperative system by attracting other economic entities to organize trade. Currently, there are 256 consumer cooperative stores and over 700 retail outlets of legal entities and individual entrepreneurs operating in rural areas. Rural residents of Braslav, Orsha, Sharkovshchina districts, and specific territories of Vitebsk, Postavy, Rossony, Tolochin districts are served by mobile shops of other economic entities, without the involvement of regional consumer societies. The issue of transferring trade service functions for the rural population to republican retail chains is being further considered, taking into account the norms of Decree No. 294 of the President of the Republic of Belarus, – noted Alexey Bogachev.
– The collegium paid attention to regions that have not yet utilized their reserves for industry development, improving service quality, and enhancing performance indicators.
– Based on the results of the collegium meeting, priority tasks have been defined for all city and district executive committees, which must be completed by the end of the year.