In January-May 2006 the retail trade in Gomel oblast amounted to Br882 billion, a 17.3 per cent increase over the same period last year, BelTA has been told in the trade and services department of the oblast executive committee.
The department took note of another important fact: over the recent years the structure of trade turnover has been steadily altering, with the share of nonfood products getting bigger. In particular, over the five months this year the share of nonfood sales accounted for 31.4 per cent, while a year ago – 30.6 per cent and in 2004 – 28.8 per cent.
In January-May 2006 the sales of clothes and underwear ramped up by 31 per cent as against the same period last year, that of construction materials – by 19.1 per cent, washing machines – 14.7 per cent. On the whole, nonfood sales have increased by 21.9 per cent. These figures eloquently attest to the improving well-being of people.
It is also important that most consumers prefer Belarusian goods. Ingeniously-produced goods accounted for 77 per cent of the total retail trade of nonfood products.
