MINSK, 6 April (BelTA) – Chair of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly Natalya Kochanova inspected the Belarus department store to check prices for staple foods and non-food products and medicines, BelTA has learned.
At the subsequent meeting of the upper house of the parliament Natalya Kochanova noted that monitoring prices is one of the key tasks of senators. The speaker urged to intensify this work and promptly report unreasonable price rises in retail chains and pharmacies and deal with issues related to the assortment. According to her, people living in all regions of the country, even in the most remote settlements, should be able to purchase everything they need.
“The government keeps an eye on prices. This task was set by the president a long time ago. Today, this is more relevant than ever, because we understand that not only prices should be reasonable, but also the assortment should be adequate, the latter is also our concern. Therefore, on behalf of the head of state, members of the Council of the Republic got involved in monitoring prices and assortment in stores. Today I decided to see with my own eyes how things are on the ground. After all, you visit grocery stores more often than stores selling non-food products,” Natalya Kochanova said.
The speaker stressed: “The assortment is good there, everything is available. However, there was some panic buying when the exchange rates began to change sharply. Some products were sold out, employees of the department store said. However, all orders are being fulfilled.”
“We were also concerned about the availability of goods that are produced in our country, such as Gefest gas stoves, Atlant refrigerators, Belarusian TV sets. Everything is available. Employees of the department store assured that prices for electrical appliances increased by 10% since the start of the year,” added Natalya Kochanova.
First Deputy Director of the Belarus department store Vitaly Galitsky noted that in March there was an increased demand for certain types of goods, but now the situation is calming down. “Last month, our warehouse stocks allowed us to handle the increased demand, the turnover plan was fulfilled. There were no deviations in the assortment policy: the goods were delivered and promptly put on display. We did not cancel promos and discounts,” he said.
According to him, Belarusian manufacturers are taking advantage of the current economic situation and they are actively working on import substitution. “There is a demand, there is a supply, especially since Belarusian goods are known for their quality,” Vitaly Galitsky emphasized.
