The number of purchases of clothing and footwear, which the population made in the markets, decreased from 71% three years ago to 53% last year. At the same time, more of the same goods began to be bought in company stores, if in 2008 their number was equal to 28%, then in the past — 38%. According to the Comcon Ukraine study, the share of acquisitions in supermarkets also increased — 16% last year — from 12% three years ago.
According to experts, in the markets, trade in expensive goods (sheepskin coats, leather, etc.) decreases, and traders are threatened with ruin. Stores that sell inexpensive goods close en masse, expensive branded markets begin to work, not paying attention to the crisis period and the level of people’s incomes, which is falling.
Most observers note: our country repeats the experience of Argentina in the early 1990s, when people living in grand style were forced to suddenly reduce their own expenses after the crisis period.
At the moment, in the Ukrainian state on the market for all goods, there is a very powerful division of society, the middle class is practically completely disappearing.
When the crisis hit, the middle and financially disadvantaged class had to give up serious acquisitions — cars, apartments, etc. But they did not save on food, entertainment, clothing. Literally until the summer of the year before last, when the savings ran out, and I had to subsist on one salary. Since last year, a certain increase in consumption has become noticeable, starting from the top down. But whether it will reach low-income citizens is unknown.
