EXPANSION OF USSR RETAIL TRADE; CRITICISM OF TRADE ORGANIZATION ACTIVITIES MARCH - AUGUST 1953

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00809A000700170058-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 27
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 2, 2011
• Sequence Number: 58
• Publication Date: March 22, 1954
• Content Type: REPORT

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DATE DFST. a. . I:Iar 3.954
NO. OF PAGES 27
SUPPLEMENT TO
REPORT NO.
THIS IS UNEVALUATED INFORMATION
EXPANSION OF USSR RETAIL TRADE;
CRITICISM OF TRADE ORGANIZATION ArTIVITIES
RADON - AUGUST 1953
he following report represents a compilation by republics
of articles concerning retail trade in consumer goods in the
USSR as they appeared in the Soviet press over the period Mnrch-
August 1953.
While reporting large increases in USSR retail trade and
further expansion of trade enter-,rises, newspapers continued to
criticize the trade organizations for poor service, inadequate
selection of goods, and fraudulent treatment of customers.
Numbers in parentheses refer to appended sources-7
According to Izvestiya, there were more than 254,000 enterprises in the
USSR retail trade network at the be3inning of 1953.(l) Soviet consumer cooper-
atives in 1952 constructed more than 5,000 stores and shops, and more than
1,300 public eating enterprises, with an expenditure of 800 million rubles,
according to Pravda. The planned expenditure for the construction of trading
enterprises in 1953 was one billion rubles.(2) Noskovskeya Pravda reported in
August that consumer cooperatives in 1953 were putting into operation 140
new warehouses and 300 new stores for the sale of construction materials, since
they planned to sell four times more construction materials than in 1952.(3)
'According to the Fifth Five-Year Plan, the 1955 'production of consumer
goods is to be 65 percent over that of 1950, Trud reported. The light and
food industries have received their assignments to increase the production
of textiles, styled footwear, sewn articles, and various food products. Dur-
ing the period April - December 1953, the trade networ:: was to receive 32
billion rubles' worth of goods more than the 312 bilito:, initially alloted
DISTRIBUTION
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COUNTRY USSR DATE OF
INFORMATION FROM
FOREIGN DOCUMENTS OR RADIO BROADCASTS CD NO.
LANGUAGE,
QuweVi zconomic - Domestic trade
HOW
PUBLISHED Daily newspapers
WHERE
PUBLISHED USSR
DATE
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COAR'IDEgTL'L
for sale to the people.(4) M
the next 2 to oskovskiy Komsom,lets stressed the urgent task in
3 years of increasing the supply of food and industrial commodities
such as meat and meat products, fish and fish products, confectionery goods,
textiles, clothing, footwear, dishware, and cultural and household goods. It
stated that this task could be fulfilled only if the greatest possible increases
in production were achieved by light industry and ag`iculture.(5)
RSFSR, General
During the first 6 months of 1953, th'S I;iniutry of Trade RSFSR put into
operation 246 large food and industrial goods stores on the ground floors of
new residential buildings, Izvestiya reported on ?uly. Other stores were
being prepared for operation on the found floors of 249 additional buildings.
In many RSFSR cities specialized stores were also being opened. In all, more
than 1,500 such stores were to be in operation by the end of 1953.(6)
In certain oblasts and cities of the RSFSR, exclusive of Moscow and
Leningrad, the following information on t17e retail trade network was reported.
F}, stated on 25 March that 48 food and i :dustr ial goods stores had
been opened in Stalingrad since tha beginnin;; of the year. The commodity
turnover of the Stclingrad trade not?.iork had increased 25 percent over 1950.
One department store was selling 500,000 rubles' worth of goods daily.(7) in
Gor'kiy, more than 5 million rubles were to be spent for the construction of
new stores and dining rooms wring 19537, a July issue of Pravda indicated.
By the end of 1953, it was proposed to put into operation 2+1-new stores and
dining erterprises.(8) Trud reported in July that the trade network in Molotov
City was expanded each month. In the first 6 months of 1953, the sale of
industrial and food-commodities amounted to 160 million rubles more than
during the same period in 1952.(9)
In cities and villages of Arkhangel'skaya Oblast, the demand for indus-
trial goods increases constantly, according to Pravda. In the-first quarter
1953, 2 million rubles' worth of goods more were sold than in the same period
in 1952. During 1952, the Oblast consumers union opened 62 new rural stores.(10)
in ravda
stores repor-,ed on
goods
shops the
in thecity expanding of turnover of Mytishchi
Moskovskaya Oblast7. In the first half of 1953, the commodity turnover in
the Mytishchi trading center increased 13 million rubles in comparision with
the same period in 1952. The demand for literature has increased greatly;
in. the first half of 1953, the Mytishchi Department of the Moscow Book Trading
Center sold 950,000 rubles' worth of books. The number of radio receiving sets
sold in Mytishchinskiy Rayon increased by 5,488 sets, and the number of tele-
vision sets by 2,570, in comparison with 1952 presumably over the first half
yt'ar7. (11);:?
In 1953,enterprises of local industry and industrial cooperatives of
the RSFSR were to produce more than 25 billion rubles' worth of various com-
modities for trading organizations, according to a May issue of Izvestiya.
The paper cited, as products of RSFSR local and cooperative industry, home
refrigerators, vacuum cleaners, floor-polishing machines, fluorescent lamps,
plastic products, and new equipment for their own enterprises. However, it
made the following criticisms: The potential for increasing consumer goods
production is poorly utilized, and the production plans remain unfulfilled
in Krasnodarskiy and Primorskiy krays. As a?result of a study of reserves in
RSFSR local and cooperative industry, additional goals for 1953 were set
before the enterprises for the production of more than 2,3 billion rubles'
worth of consumer goods, including approximately 450 million rubles' worth
of commodities fron local raw materials.
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_ .,s...._' ' ' "7" -?,es a_c 110(: satisfying the needs
of )coll:hozes and e-
ov construct, sin plnts
primitive methods withoutmechsnization.LOTheaproduction ofefurnituretmustube
increased, and.its quality improved. In 1955, furniture production is to
increase threefold in comparison wi.th 1950.
The same erticle reported that it had been decided to combine industrial
cooperatives, timber cooperatives, and invalids cooperatives into one system
of industrial cooperatives, in order to bring about a more efficient utilization
of industrial i,,luipment and local raw materials, resulting in an increased out-
put of consumer goods and In a reduction of costs.(12)
Press reports on rural and kolkhoz trade indicated an increased interest
by the rural population in cultural goods and in high-quality clothing, fabric,
and footwear.
An article in Pravda reported considerable trade expansion in Primorsk,
Kray, where cooperative stores of distant villages are selling a wide assort-
ment of high-grade fabrics, footwear, electrical appliances, and carpets. The
population purchased 500,000 rubles' worth of commodities during the first ?
6 months of 1953?(13) In over 5 months of 1953, kolkhozes in Primorskiy Kray
purchased about 8,000 radio loud-speakers and more than 200 trucks; they also
purchased more than twice as much dishware as during the same period of 1952,
Sovetskaya.Litva indicated.(A)
In Kurgan, Timochev, Korenov, and other points in Krasnodarskiy Kray in
the Kuban region, construction was started on special stores for the sale of
silk fabrics, clothing, and footwear, according to Vechernyaya Mosk'. of 3
March 1953. During 1952, 120 new stores wore put into operation in villages
of this Ia'ay. During the 1953 summer season, 350 mobile stores were scheduled
to operate.(15)
Along with press repor'`?s on prowess ccadc in the retail trade network,
other articles reported shortcomings ''ith rend to goods shortages, miseanage-
ment, and poor dispositi.r, of tradir,o cnterprises.
1n .ugust 1953, Pravda reported that
deficient sto:'>s of ;pznetsk D=sin acre
in furniture, dishes, household arti.cJ.es, and children's toys, al-
though they were well supplied with fabrics, re_:d?--tc-wcur clothing, and
cultural :nods. Local anC, cooperative industry in the Kuznetsk region was
criticized for turning out insufficient furniture of poor quality at high
prices. A poorly made birch chair of a Kemerovo furniture plant cost 10
rubles more than a fine chair imported from Maykop JKrasnodarskiy Kray7.(16
Izvestiya reported in August that 200 populated points in Novosibirskaya
Oblast had no trading enterprises and that people had to trcvel 10 to 15 kilo-
meters to get supplies.(17) Criticism of consumers' cooperatives of Irkutskaya
Oblast appeared in a May issue of Izvestiya, which pointed out that, the com-
modity turnover plan was not fulfilled, expenditures were great, and organ-
ization of the trade network was poor. The oblast consumers union was crit-
icized for laxness in administration. Locally produced goods made up only
7.8 percent of the turnover of consumer cooperatives in Irkutekaya Oblast.
Carts, shaft bows, harnesses, and other articles necessary to the population
sometimes had to be imported from points thousands of kilometers away.(18)
Moscow
Vechernyaya Moskva, on 29 August, announced the proposed 1 November open-
ing of the new state department store (gosudarstvennyy universal'nyy magazin)
in Moscow, to be the largest trading enterprise in the country, with a trading
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area of 47,000 square meters. (The Central Univermag in To:>cow occupies only
18,000 square meters.) The followi
ng arrangement of departments 'des planned:
first floor -- fabrics, perfumes, musical instruments, housewares, photographic
equipment, radios, stationery, and sports goods; second floor -- ready-to-wear
clothing, underwear, footwear, millinery, knitwear, and children's clothing;
third floor -- a large shop for made-to-order dresses, millinery, and footwear,
as well as a dining room, dispensary, clubroom for 600 spectators, a gymnasium
for sales personnel, and the administrative offices.
Salons for the sale of Woman's silk dresses, furs, styled footwear, and
antiques were also planned for this store, the same source indicated. Self-
service in piece goods was to be provided, as well as automatic machines dis-
pensing matches, envelopes, and writing paper. It was also planned to organize
a service bureau to deliver purchases and to install radios, television sets,
and refrigerators.(19)
There is a continuing emp};.s:is on specialisation in the trade network, and
the number of specialized stores is increasing significantly, according to
Pravda UIQ'ainy? About 20) large specialized stores were in operation in various
rayons of Moscow in April 1953.(20) During 1953, it was planned to put into
operation 70 stores and 17 dining establishments in newly constructed build-
ings in Moscow.(21)
..In July 1953, "Mosmoloko," a new specialized o2ganization for the sale
of milk and dairy products was reported operating in Moscow. There will be
94 stores in the system of this new trading organization. It was planned to
put into operation ten new dairy stores in the second half of 1953 and the'
first half of 1954:(22)
In answer to the increased demand for fruits and vegetables, Vechernyaya
Moskva reported, a large new specialized store for the sale of fruits and
vegetables was established in Moscow in June. It is supplied by food enter-
prises in Moldavia, the Crimea, Central Asia, and Be?.orussia.(23) In this
connection, the press has given increased attention to the procurement and
sale-of fruits and vegetables, pointing out deficiencies in supply and trad-
ing organizations, both in Moscow and Leningrad.(24,25)
Vechernynya Moskva reported that 21 "ZIM" automobiles were sold to Moscow
workers by the' specialized store of the Moscow Glavmashsbyt (Vain Administra-
tion of Sales Ministry o Machine-Building Industry) during 2 weeks it July 1953.
It mentioned the growing demand for other automobiles also. During the same
period, the store sold 35 "Poteda" and 300 "Moskvich` cars.(26)
With regard to specialized stores, Sovetskaya Belorussiva stated that a
new demonstration store had been established in Moscow for the sale of appara-
tus and machines used for high-speed cutting and welding with the aid of
oxygen. This is the only trading enterprise in the country where various
mechanisms can be observed in operation. At the beginning of 1953, this store
delivered hundreds of machines and apparatus, to builders in Kiev, Baku, and
Tbilisi, to Donbass miners, and to Ural metallurriste.(27)
During the first halS of May, a store of Glavmashnriborsbyt (Main ldmin-
istration for the Sale of Machine:; and Instruments) sold 1,100 manual and
treadle sewing machines, and 5,103 clocks and watches of various types, it
was reported in Vechernyaya Moskva.(28)
Shortcomings in trade were discussed as follows at the third session of
the Moscow City Soviet of Workers' Deputies, as reported by Izvestiya: Despite
over=all increases in production, it is not easy for the consumer to find
good-quality furniture, footwear, attractive suits, coats, and any kind of
C0ITrIDEL'TIAL
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ct: 'i ira;I'ZAL
household onuipr:ent. Local and cooperative industry ice not give sufficient
attention to the manufacture of children': clothing z:nd feotwcs .
enterprises of local and coo
perative :industry chose 1y2 sanples , exhibit of the chamber of comme ir:v the
rce, in order to put then into mass production,
but only 52 of these were used.(29)
In addition, an article by the director of the Moscow Central Department
Store which appeared in Vechernyayu Mo?bva in I4a 1953, industrial enterprises were not producing the neyesalso indicated that
of goods. Furniture factories were not manufacturingrscreens,Jchaiseulounges,
bookcases, stands for clothes, kitchnoen shelves, and piano stools, all of.which
were in demand-00)
According to LeninFS3dsk:y
and tea houses were opened in 1952 in Lenin?r?ads;ca,r= Oblast-61) In May,
Sovetskaya Bel.orusniya reported that :;oae h,0.0Q trading enterprises were in
operation in rayon centers.
enters and villager of this Oblast. Also, about 400
specialized stores were reported to be operating, and in 1953, 12 more special-
ized stores were to be opened for the sale of ready-to-wear clothing, foot-
wear, furniture, books, and musical instrumentn.(32)
According to Leningr?adskaya Pravda, the special store of Glavavtotrak-
torosbyt (!.lain Administration for sold r the Sale of Automobiles and Tractors) in
nearly 1,300 "Pobeda and "1o7kvich" automobiles..
quarter 1953, almost 'wiee as many automobiles were sold as inuthe the first
in 1952. the same period
The same source sir; led out the DLT department store in Leningrad as
exemplary in its quality of consumer goods: good furniture is sold at this
department store, as well as dishware, beautiful fabrics, fine footwear,
and quality sewn goods. The daily turnover at this store in April 1953 was
over 111? million rubles. Durin?; 1.952, the
33) 55
million rubles' worth of (' 7 ocds more than in 1p51 1 .a of this rto Lhs clodre? (3p(3)
In March, at an exhibition, of styled spring and summer goods at the
Leningrad House of Culture, ever 5,,00) samples were exhibited, including
many new types of chins, musical instruments, haberdashery, fabric:, and
new styles in clothing, Lenin,:radskaya Pravda reported. Although tha arti-
cle praised Leningrad enterpri:ses fora fin ;hibition, it pointed out
that there was much room for icsprcv~ment, :ir;ce the potent..or? increased
production and high quality had not been real' ed because of poor m.^_ragcnent. (31})
An August issue of the paper listed other shortcomings in Lenin ?ad trade as
poor assortment, poor analysis of conauner demand, unskilled personnel, and
dishonesty among workers. The napes assorted that the consumer wants, and
is not setting, high-quality :;e?as? The insufficient sus ip of fo
particularly emphasized-(35) p ot.rear was
Belorussian Sill
Savetbu}s Beloru;aiya, l c Arv-us' 1...n53, reuvrted that more +'.:en) _OO
rayon rud rural storm were in o:eraticn in the 13elorus Tian
During 1953,
127 additional stores sere schedulcd to be D10'. into cIc n- SR.
19i. on. cum Lity
assortment for the rural population was iucreusing? In 1`x53 /presumably the
first half year7, the delivery of woolen fabric to rayon and rural stores
increased 30 percent, and slat of sewn goods, 3'0.8 percent, over ].952. In
1953, rayon and rural stores of the republic were to be suppled with 14,000
radio receiving sets, 31,000 ticycles, 12,400 machines, and 407 motor-
cycles.(36)
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idiAccording to Pravda Vostok-, 15 large well-ecuip,ped ore..uwere opened s lin
nek during the first 5 months of ].973.(37) Iu Nay ^oveMtua Pelorusya
reported an expansion of trade in Baranovici:a.aya Oblast. New stor es were in
Operation in Baranovichi, and a network of public dining enterprises was being
developed in the city of Slonim? During 1952, eight trading enterprises were
put into operation in Iiovogrudok. It was planned to increase the number of
specialized stores for the sale of knitwear, fabrics, ready-to-wear clothing,
footwear, and household articles in the oblast.(38)
During 6 months of 1953, the Pol-tck City food and industrial goods trad-
ing center sold food and industrial goods valued at 4.5 million rubles more
than the amount sold during the same period in 1952, according to Sovetskaya
Belorussiya. The sale of sugar and vegetable oil doubled in comparison with
the same. period in 1952, and the sale of macaroni products metal dishware
and cultural goods increased threefold. however, the city party committee
criticized the Ministry of Trade Belorussian SSR for providing Polotsk trading
organizations with inferior haberdashery, construction materials, and cultural
goods.(39)
With respect to shortcomings in Belorussian trade, a July issue of the
same paper criticized the lack. of coordination between the Mogilev Bread
Combine and'Mogilev trading enterprises, It charged that the bread combine
was not fulfilling its assortment plan, and that the distribution and supply
network .was poorly organized. The sales organization of broad products in
Molodechnenskaya Oblast was alto termed unsatisfactory.(1+0)
Trud criticize.] the fact that trading organizations had no plan for pack-
aging and weighing goods, as follows: Since goods are neither weighed nor
packaged beforehand in warehouses, much time is consumed in the stores in
these operations. The Borisovskiy Macaroni Factory has been urged to put out
packaged goods, but macaroni and vermicelli continue to arrive at trading
outlets in large crates. The "Zarya" Plant supplies yeast and salt in kilo-
gram packages. There are agreements between the Ministry of Light and Food
Industry and the Ministry of Trade Belorussian SSR, concerning the supply of
confectionery goods in packages, but the norms specified in the agreements are
clearly insul'ficient.(1i)
Ukrainian SSR
According to Pravda Uiaainy, the production program in the Ukraine for
the first half of 1953 was fulfilled 101 percent. Tens of millions of rubles'
worth of goods were produced above plan. The output of consumer goods was
increased considerably. In enterprises of local and cooperative industry alone,
twice as many goods were manufactured in 1952 as in 1950.(42) With'
coo
e
in Ap 1953 reporteregard
thatoUkrainian consumer cooperatives in 1952dsold 7 millionil
rubles' worth of industrial and food products more than in 1951 (at com-
parable prices). In 1953 /January - Aerii7, the retail network of consumer
cooperatives was increased by 812 trading enterprises. Before the end of 1953,
63 rayon stores were to be constructed, as dell as 450 rural stores (sel'magi),
30 cultural goods stores, and 25 stores for the sale of housewares. In 15
rayon centers, specialized foctwear stores were to he put into operation, and
clothing stores were to be established in 28 rayon conters.(43) In addition,
a June issue of Pravda indicated the increased sale of such materials as cement,
nails, glass, roofing paper, and slate in t.:rainian consumer cooperatives.(44)
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T e foiloliin~; :nio:C:ati.on on
' o
``on
of the Urtaine wan r ?ported U
es
ob
.~
r
.
y
:hc
' rcl
a
and August
53.
1952, about 300 new stores and 125 public dining enterprises were Put into oper-
ation in cities and workers' settlements of Stalinskaya Oblast; in April. 1953,
3'-7 trading locations were under cons{.ructicn, 58 of them in the city of Stalino,
Pravda yainy repor,ed.(45) Accordir.- to F-.av: , 2
.ere put into operation duri.n 1?52 in t n lame specialised state
on'2 June that commodity turnoverduringthenprece ing 2 2t,{!F7) Izthe sitty of
lofted
Ftalino had increased by more than IOO million runlea. Ine 1951-1952
the city trade network increased by 451 stores stalle cialone,
dining. enterprises.(i6) , pavilions, and public
Kolkhozes of Stalinskaya Ohlest ha;?e ce:tsiderably expanded their trade
in agticultnral products in Stalino markets, PravdaUUkrainy reported in I:ay.
Since the beginning of 1553, 145 kolkhoner h5,; established permanent trade in city
mashers, and administrations had concluded 135 contracts with Lolkhozes concern-
ing the delivery of produces to city and hol;:hoz markets. In markets of the
city 126. stores and stalls were being assl;;ned for kolkhoz trade. 07)
In Kiev, i6 specialized stores were put into operation at the beginning
of 1953, according to Sovetskaya Pelorussiya. It was planned to double in
size the Kiev Department Store, ,hich is one of the largest in the country.
This store, which has 79 sections, sells rugs from Central Asia, styled foot-
wear from Moscow, Leningrad, and Kiev factories, fur from Moldavia, and lace
from Vologda. In April and Iay
more silt a , Percra i;nse woes!:. abric and 71) percent
,ere sold at this :tore than during the ,
Mme _ ;.^.nntls in 1952.(48)
According to Leninskoye :a+.acva of 23 May 1953, ^C trading enterprises had
been opened in rayon centers and villages of L'vovckaya Oblast since the
beginning of 1953, and 40 stores were under construction. In all, 1,330
stores. shops, and stalls v=re in operation in this oblast.(49)
Pravda Ukrainy in June pointed out the gsowin.g commodity turnover in
Nikolayevs:aya Oblast. During the first S months of 1953, the population of
this oblast bought 27 percent more -.eat than during the same period in 1952,
as well as 20 percent more fat, 21 percent more dairy products, 11 percent
more. sugar, and 45 percent more wiae. In 5 months of 1.953, 135 percent more
silk fabrics were sold than in the same ;:cried of 1952, as well as 50 percent
more hosiery, 94 percent more bicycles, ;.nd three times as many pianos.(50)
In the city of ?o]tava Soltavskayr Oblast7, Pravda UiTainy in July
reported six stores in operation, including an "U?'r specialized
store for the sale of textiles. Large perfumery, haberdashery, industrial
goods, and bread stores were to be established in 1953 in buildings which
were under construction in July.(51) Turhmensk:tu Iulse in August reported
the completion of the 20th rural store in r.irovogradal;aya Oblast. Before
the end of 1953, it was planned to complete construction of stores in 50
villages and rayon centers of the ohlast.(52)
In Drogobych, a new textile store t:as in operation in March 1953; and new
dining rooms, tearooms, and stores selling food, industrial goods, and cul-
tural goods were being put into operation in other cities and villages of
the. Transcarpathian region, according to Pravda.(7) In August, Izvestiya
reported that the rural trade network of akarpatskaya Oblast was expanding
considerably. Five million rubles had been allocated by union for the construction of new stores in villages. (53)
the Oblast consumers
(53)
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With regard to shortcomings in the trade network, examples op casmann,ge-
ment and careless planning were cited in several issues of Pravda Ulsuiny.
The Stalino base of Glavshveytorg (Main Administration of Sewing Industry
Trade) In June 1953 sent to Gorlovka 400,000 rubles' worth of winter clothes,
and only 20,000 rubles' worth of summer: clothing.(54) The opening of new
stores on first floors of newly constructed buildings was extremely delayed,
another issue of Pravda U':,sainy indicated. The practice of above-plan remodel-
ing was sharply criticized, since it required a dispersal of additional expendi-
tures. These expenditures were particularly great in Kharkov, it was reported,
where 993,100 rubles were spent on remodeling, and 91,100 rubles on excessive
planning in the construction of 16 stores on the first floors of new houses.(55)
In April, Pravda Ukrainy reported a deficiency in the production of
local construction.materials,particularly.brip?t and tile, which are in great
-demand in connection with large -ccalie construction throughout the country.
The Ministry of Local Industry and the inr.r:trial cooperatives were blamed
for this deficiency.(43)
Pravda Ul:rainy in another April article severely criticized Ukrainian
trading organizations for notreducing distribution expenditures, since if
these expenditures were nut by only one percent of the total turnover, the
national economy would have an additional income of h billion rubes a year.
In 1952, local trading organizations of the Ukrainian 3SR spent 16.5 zillion
rubles for the payment of bank credits. This huge expenditure was the result
of an accumulation of above-norm commodity stocks, which in turn resulted
from an unsatisfactory analysis of consumer demand and incorrect planning of
commodity funds. The article pointed out that trading organizations have the
potential to lower their distribution expenditures. In fact, 52 Ukrainian
trading organizations decreased their distribution expenditures below the
plan, but many others continue'to operate from year to year at a loss. Glavtorg
(Main Administration of Trade) Ukrainian SSR, was sharply criticized for not
popularizing the practical experience of more efficient organizetions.(56)
Moldavian SSR
Sovetskaya Moldaviya in March 1953 estimated that 2,555 stores, booths,
and stalls were in operation in rural communities of the Moldavian 3SR, as
well as 656 public dining enterprises. The rural-stores alone numbered 230;
in 1947 there were cnly 74 of these. In 1953, it was planned to put 77
specialized stores in operation in the villages. Rural consumer cooperatives
were scheduled to sell 1,350,000,000 rubles' worth of goods to kolkhozes and
kolkhoz farmers in 1953.
During 1953, rural cooperatives sold 3,400 phonogr'lphs, 27,000 phonograph
records, 4,200 radio receiving sets, 3,680 bicycles and motorcycles, 3,500
sewing machines, and 5,000 pocket and wrist watches.(57)
Another issue of Sovetskaya holdaviya pointed out that hundreds of stores
sell footwear in the Moldavian 5SR, including 26 specialized stores. In the
first half of 1953, trading organizations received 12.5 million pairs of
foot.ear-from Leningrad, Moscow, Kiev, Rostov, and from local factories. Foot-
wear enterprises in Moldavia in 1953 were manufacturing almost 3 million pairs
of footwear, 700,000 more than they produced in 1952.(58)
Aceording-to a March 1953 issue of Pravda, the number of stores in Moldavia
increased more than 50 percent during the preceding 2 years, and the number of
dining enterprises increased 150 percent. New large food stores had recently
been set up in Kishinev, Bendery, and other Moldavian cities, and refrigeration
bad been installed in 700 stores and dining establishments. In 1952, the sale
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CONE DEI'iTIAL
of oilk*fabric increased 34.5 percent fP:?esumably over 19517; .ootxt car, so
percent?;.furniture, 36 percent; watches, 150 percent; and bicycles, 200
percent:(7)
Sovetskaya Moldaviva in August reported a significant ex
trading network, but made the following criticisms: The network sisnstillhe
small-and unable to satisfy the growing demands of the people. New stores
and stalls are often put into operation without an organized plan. In
addition, although there are many stores in large population centers, few are
found in outlying areas. Frequently such items as cheap c-.garettes, cand.1 and
other confectionery goods are not available in rural stores. Wool and silk
fabrics and styled footwear are delivered to these stores irregularly, and
the stock of.good clothing is insufficient, although freq+^nt).y there are
surpluses-of these goods in warehouses.
lh; j t '
Trade workers are lax in analyzing popular demand. jonsrmer demand and
suggestion books are seldom found in stores. ;.:any rade wo_?ka sell only
the goods .-hich are sent to them, and do not take into account that they should
influence the production of goods which are in grec.test demand. Further, the
lack of proper coordination between the Moldavian Ministry of Trade and the
Moldavian Consumers Union makes it impossible to organize a correct distribution
of goods.
.
The supply of fruit, vegetables, and potatoes to the city population
is poor. In many cities there are practically no vegetables for sale. Dee-
pite the great demand for vegetables, the director of the city food trading
center in Kishirev?did not accept a large quantity of cabbages and cucumbers
which were-delivered by kolkhozes to one of the city food stores.
Stores and stalls in many villages and cities are located in unsanitary
and unattractive?.buildings. Sales personnel open and close stores.at random,
and treat customers rudely.(59)
Latvian SSR
In the Latvian SSR, 220 stores and stalls, and 78 dining rooms, tearooms,
and lunch counters were put into operation from March to August 1953, accord-
ing to Sovets]?a atoni
-
other cities of 30 Au st. Dnrin L _
ized stores had.been established in Riga, Daugavpils53Liyenaya more-than Yelgavaspecial-
cand
. Between 1950 and 1953, the nuwaer of cold-storage units in
stores and dining rooms of the republic increased 550 percent. By December
1953,. tens of new stores were to be established.(60)
A March issue of Frav.a reported the establishment of "Latodezhda" and
Latobuv'," two specialized enterprises for trade in clothing and footwear,
respectively.(7)
A large delicatessen store is one of many new stores recently put into
operation in the city of Daugavpils, Sovetskaya Latviva reported in June.
Discussing the constant expansion of the trading network, the paper stated
that ten new trading points had been established by the city trading .1rgan-
ization, the ORS (Workers' Supply Divisions) of rail transport, of the butter
industry trust, and of other organizations. In comparison with June 1952,
the network of stores and booths in Daugavpils and its suburbs had increased
by 41-trading points in June 1953, and the commodity turnover had risen more
than l0.percent.(61) During March and April 1953, a number of specialized
storeswere put into operation in Yekabpils for the sale of jewelry, mil-
linery.,.footwearyhousehold and building materials, and silk fabrics,
Sovetskaya Latviya reported in May.(62)
CONFIDENTIAL
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goods shorts - -11 =e `''"lY" In Oune ana August concern ng
g'?s, lack of assortment, and poor distrfbui,ion of goods, as well
as. bad management by the Ministry of Trade Latvian SSR. In June, the paper
mentioned shortages in footwear in Riga stores. Latvian footwear factories
were producing only black leather shoes, although consumers demand a variety.
There-wars an'insufficient quantity of men's and children's tennis shirts, and
of,light-colored silk fabric. Some industrial artels and combines continued
to Put oat inferior products, such as very ordinary woolen dresses, and knitted
blauses,of faded colors.
'Further, the came article states that a number of products which could
be successfully manufactured by cooperative and local industry were not pro-
duced in the republic, but were procured from Moscow, Leningrad, and cities
of the Urals. It charged that the production of ordinary furniture was not
well organized, although Latvian furniture workers are famous, and that it
was difficult to find wicker furniture, kitchen tables, and cabinets.(63)
During the first half of 1953, goods valued at 50 million rubles less
than-planned were received by trading enterprises from Latvian factories and
plants Sovetskaya Latviya reported in August. In addition, 6 million rubles'
worth of various articles were rejected by trading bases and stores ac4.returned
to suppliers. The demand for school children's clothing, footwear, textbooks,
and writing materials was not satisfied.(64)
A criticism of the same type appreared in Sovetska a ]atviya on 15 August,
which reported thatithe Riga Main Department Store, largest store in the
Latvian SSR, was haVdng ccnsidernble difi'iculty in satisfying the needs of
workers for better-quality footwear and clothes because of lack of cooperation
from industry.(65)
further shortcomings in Latvian industry and production were pointed out
in a Sovetskaya Latviya article of 12 August, which described errors in the
production process. As of 1 April 1953, enterprises of the Ministry of
Light and Food Industry and the Ministry of Local and Fuel Industry had on
hand almost 38 million rubles' worth of above-plan material stocks. The
indebtedness of a number of industrial enterprises was large. Enterprises of
the light and food industry, timber and paper industry, local and fuel indus-
try, and construction materialr industry were reported to be 35 million rubles
in debt.(66)
Lithuanian SSR
A May 1953 issue of Sovetslaya Litva reported that new stores were being
set up, apd existing stores repaired and enlarged, in Vil'nyus. After comple-
tion, of capital repairs, a specialized store for the sale of dairy products and
a new cafe were put in operation. The following stores were to he established:
stores of Glavbumsbyt (Main Administration or the Sale of Products of Paper
Industry Enterprises), two bread stores, one haberdashery and perfume store,
two industrial-commodity stores, and a new toed store operating durinr, lunch
and evening hours. A confectionery story was being enlarged. In all, over
45 large trading enterprises were to be remodeled in the city of Vil'nyus
1953.(67) In addition, Pravda in June reported that a large specialized-fuin,
rni-
ture store, a specialized food store, and some pharmacies would'be put into
operation during 1953 on the ground floors of newly constructed bufldings.(c8)
Sovetskaya Litva in March 1953 reported the expansion of specialized trade
in the city-of Klaypeda, where specialized stores were established for the sale
of footwear, silk fabrics, and ready-to-wear clothing. Ten specialized stores
were scheduled-to be put into operation for the sale of confectionery goods,
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wine, tobacco, preserves, liner), perfuo:e, uten ils, .u:d constructi.cn ,i i.r n LL!.
In the area of a cellulose and ps.pcr comhino, a Lu;;c pavilion was bcini; co
structed for the -sale of foodstuffs. The reconstruction and enlargement o: a
department store was scheduled to be started s;1crt_y.(69)
On 10 April, Sovetskaya Litva stated that 5;a rural stores' were put into
operation in Klaypedskaya Oblast in 1952. In rayon centers and rural comraun-
ities Jresumably thoughout Lithuania7, 64 new trading enterprises were to be
put into operation before the end of 1553. I-t.wan plr.nned to organize
specialized stores.(70)
In the preceding 3 years, more than 1,400 tr^,ia2 pointy:, includin,- ?00
stores, -where established in the Lithuanian S22, ';:bvet.n1?aya Liters reported on
10 July.(71) With regard to ccnsur.,er :ooperatives, 0 stores and stalls were
in operation as of 11 July 1953 for; the` sale of food and manufactured goods
and construction materials, according to another article in Sovetskaya Litva.(72)
Reports of serious shortcomings in Lithuanian trading organizations continued
to appear in the press. Sovetskaya Litva charged in June 1953 that consumer
demand was. not being analyzed, .and the needs of the people were not satisfied.
An example* cited was the difficulty of finding stationery in stores and shops
of Kalvariyskiy Rayon, although trade bases had large quantities of this com-
modity. Also, despite a large supply of cotton knitwear at the Vi1'nyus
department store base, such goods were greatly needed by rural trading organ-
izations.(73)
Other irregularities reported in a July issue, with regard to footwear,
wer that the "Yel'nyas" Combine was manufacturing attractive and durable San-
dals for men, but very unsatisfactory children's footwear and attractive but
poorly made footwear for women. In the second quarter 1953, one department.
store found 685 pairs of very low-grade shoes out of 3,981 pairs, and returned
98 pairs to the manufacturing enterprises. Other shortcomings reported by this
source included old-fashioned styles and lack of regard for sesro.,,J. dermad.(74)
Estonian SSR
1 In April 1953, there were nearly 47 stores .,,peratin, in t?a lin, including
51 s
-specialized stores according to Sovetskaya Ectoriyc, In 1952, 94 store
were put into operation in the Estonian SS:'?. 75
Pravda reported on 17 August that l : new stores had been put into operation,
in Tallin in 1933, and that many of the old stores had been expanded and recon-
structed. By the end of 1953, six more Stores were to be established, and all
grocery stores trading in perishable goods were to be equipped with refrigera-
tion installations.(76)
On 17 June, Sovetskaya Estoniaa indicated that 12 million rubles' worth
more goods had been sold in stores of the Tallin food trading organisation since
the beginning of 1953 than in the score period in 1952.(77)
Trade statistics, as indicated in Sovetskaya Estoni , placed the corm 1,10 ty
turnover 'of Ryapinaskiy Rayon for the first 6 months of 1953 at 10,914,000
rubles. A total of 2,811,000 rubles' worth of foodstuffs was sold to consumers
'in the second quarter 1953 in Ryapinaskiy Rayon.' Trade in industrial goods
expanded considerably. In the second quarter 1953, 5,793,000 rubles' worth of
manufactured 'goods were sold; this included 391,200 rubles' worth of woolen
and semi-woolen fabrics, 189,000 rubles' worth of silk fabrics, 118,000 rubles'
worth of- leather footwear, and 109,000 rubles' worth of bicycles and motor-
cycles.(78)
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Qd: to ' it y f
in Ta1J.in.^.kaya Gb!:,st ere m,' ,,' iclc, i?1,:: ,?i:,] cc:, ire.
put* An industrial coralne e, Lea `y ,,, , Linsfor c0hlaat, ful.f-;lled
only 34.9 percent of it-. plan. ;,nothe combin: :Ln 1952 had a loss of 10,000
rubles instead of a planned profit of v4,00o ruble,. The blame for these
deficiencies was placed on the e;ecutiva committees of the rayon soviets and
the-rayon financial division.
The same source indicated shortcomings in the work of supply and pro-
curement., The Main Administration of Supply ,n l Sale.-, 1?;inistry of Local
Industry and Shale and Chemical Industry Estonian SSR. sac supplying industrial
combines with materials on an irregular basis, thus ontribu`ing to an increase
in above-norm accumulations. Workers of this admloisyt;_htion forced the com-
bines to purchase excessive quantities. of mater ie.l'. Rocks. For example, they
requested.the Tartu City Combine in November 1952 to buy 4 tons of oleic acid,
whereas the, yearly demand for this product was only 1.6 tons. (79)
A July issue of Sovetskaya Estoniyya indicated that more than 1; million
d
rubles' worth of manufactur e goods for the seasonal trade was not delivered
to trade organizations by enterprises of the Ministry of Local Industry and
Shale and Chemical Industry Estonian SSR and by the Estonian Council of,
Industrial Cooperatives during the first half of 1953. Trade organizations
failed to receive from these supply networks 593,000 rubles' worth of rubberized
silk raincoats, 370,000 rubles' worth of women's dresses, 193,000 rubles'
worth of men's sandals, and 131,000 rubles' worth of children's sandals.(80)
?lso with respect to problems of supply, another July issue of Sovet-
Elytoniya reported that the Ministry of Trade Estonian SSR and the
Ministry of Agriculture and Procurement Estonian SSR had not organized pro-
per coordination between kolkhozes and trading organizations in the supply
and distribution of vegetables and potatoes. The Estonian Republic Union of
Consumer Cooperatives in July had not begun to fulfill its 1953 plan for.
potat,.supply,.and the supply plan for early vegetables was fulfilled by only
4 percert.(31)
According to an August article in _ovetska
7to
h
ad been importing large quantities of commodit esLfromjMoscow,, Leningrad, in
and Riga. During the third quarter 1953/ ic], the Estonian sEl received 10 of c andlthe Lnt"tan SSR. In all, oaboutr25smifrom llionarubles' worth of ccoton Leningrad,
alone were imcorted?from other republics.(.92)
Karelo-Finnish SSR
Mo_e than 2,000 stores and stalls were ini operation in the Karelo-Finnish
SSR in August 1959, and their number was continually increasing, accordin to
Leninako a Znamya of 30 August. In 3.95; alone, the network of storey had been
increased,by 3 units.(83) In T'etrozavodsl:, capital city of the i,arel.o-
rinnish SSR, lp7l trading enterprises were in operation according to another
August issue of Leninskoye Znamya.(84) In rural communities of the republic,
730 stores and stalls, and 95 dining rooms, shops, and cafes were reported.
?iperating in April by Leninshoy_~Znam~a,($5)
However, there were numerous shortcomings and deficiencies in the Karelo-
Finnish production system, according to another article in Leninskoye Znamva.
The Minister of Trade Karelo-Finnish SSR was strongly criticized for not exert-
ing proper control over enterprises of local industry and industrial coopera-
tives. Production.of consumer goods from local raw materials was not organized
in the republic. Even the simplest wooden articles, such as ax handles, cooper's
implements, toys, and wicker baskets were being purchased from Moskovskaya,
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Vologodskaya, and Kirovskaya oblasts, although according to the article it
would be possible to manufacture these articles within the Karelo-Finnish
Republic.(86)
Although the Karelo-Finnish SSR is rich in forests, Petrozavodsk manu-
factures little furniture, Izvestiya pointed out in May.(87) Two furniture
factories were scheduled for construction in Petrozavodsk, but over a 2-year
pariod no funds had been allotted for this purpose, it was indicated in Lenin-
skoye Znama. The paper added that furniture is imported from dii3tant points
in insufficient quantity.(84)
Armenian SSR
In the first 6 months of 1953, 20 large stores were established in Yerevan,
Sovetskaya Kirgiziya stated in July. In cities and villages of Armenia 250
specialized industrial and food stores, and over 3,400 public dining enterprises
were in operation in July 1953.(88)
According to a May article in Kommunist, 36 new stores and public dining
enterprises were opened during 1952 - 1953 in Stalinskiy Rayon. The total num-
ber of stores and public dining enterprises in this rayon was reported to be
over 360. Kommunist, in the same article, reported that a permanent commission
of deputies had been appointed at the second session of the Stalinskiy Rayon
Soviet of Yerevan, for the purpose of organizing work in trading locations and
improving the supply system. After investigating operations in trade networks,
the deputies recommended measures for trade improvement, particularly in worker's
settlements, and more centralized control over trading locations.. Deputies
reported that consumer demand was not being analyzed, the minimum assortment of
goods was not provided, and complaints of consumers were carelessly treated.(89)
Other issues of Kommunist from April through August sharply criticized
the Armenian trade system for serious deficiencies. As a result of poor analy-
sis of consumer demand and errors in delivery and distribution of goods in the
republic, the Ministry of Trade, the Armenian Council of Industrial Cooperatives,
and "Aykoop" (Armenian Consumer Cooperatives) regularly failed to fulfill their
commodity turnover plans, Kommunist indicated in April. In the first quarter
1953, not one of the principal trading organizations nor the ministry as a whole
fulfilled the turnover plan. A large number of complaints were received from
consumers about low-quality goods and poor assortment. The quality of sewn
goods, shoes,cndikhric produced by Armenian enterprises was reported to be far
from satisfucuory. In rural stores of outlying rayons, great deficiencies in
cultural goods, furniture, and building materials were reported.(90)
In another article, Kommunist reported that consumer cooperatives and
three consumers societies in AAparanskiy rayon failed to fulfill the retail .om-
modity turnover plans for both the first quarter and the first half of 1953,
and suffered losses. As a result, unsold commodities accumulated in many vil-
lsges and stores. The paper charged that managers of consumers unions were not
coping with violations of trade regulations, that the indebtedness of cbrtain
societies-was very great, that many stores were located on unsuitable premises,
and that industrial and food commodities were carelessly stored.(91)
Serious defects in the organization of summer trade were pointed out in
June by Kommunist. State and cooperative stores had very few fresh greens,
early vegetables, fruit, and eggs for sale, and industrial goods stores had
a small assortment of summer clothing and fabrics. Yerevan and Leninakan sew-
ingfactories of the Ministry of Light and Food Industry were criticized for
completing only 27.3 percent of the second-quarter plan for 1953. Footwear
factories of the Ministry of Light and Food Industry failed to deliver more
than 14 million rubles' worth of various foot;:ea_(92)
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In August, Kommunist again reported deficiencies and serious shortcomings.
It described the situation as follows:
The Ministry of Trade, the Armenian Trading Orgaanization, and "-;ykoop"
fail to study consumer demands. For this reason there are deficiencies in the
distribution of goods. Villages are not promptly supplied with the ,cods they
need, although there is a sufficient quantity of ever:'dey goods at warehouses
and bases. Consumers frequently are not able to find the most ordinary com-
modities. For example, consumers in one village were not able to find rock salt,
vegetable' oils, macaroni, children's footwear, cotton fabric, and thread, although
these goods were stocked by warehouses. During the first 10 days of August, the
Armenian Trading Organization in the Sevan settlement had only 46 of 84 items
which were listed in their c,talog. Customers complained that cotton and wool
fabrics, towels, women's dresses, haberdashery, and dishware have not been avail-
able for a long time.
In almost all stores of even the most remote villages there is a demand
for stylish furniture, good-gi+-'lity clothing and footwear, and a varied assort-
ment of cultural goods. However, trading organization personnel fail to take this
into account, and try to sell outmoded products of low quality which have been
stored in.?warehouses. Negligence on the part of trade workers and managers with
respect to rural consumer demand is largely responsible for the failure to ful-
fill the commodity turnover plan.(93)
Azerbaydzhan SSR
Stores of the URS (workers' Supply Administrations) )-in 1952 sold l,O9o,C70u,oC0
rubles,' worth of industrial goods and foodstuffs, according to Bakinskiy Rabochiv.
(94) In the first half of 1953, a Trud article indicated, state and cooperative
trade sold 15 percent more commodities than during the first half of 1952. In
1953,:. the retail commodity turnover of the petroleum industry ORS increased 27
percent over 1952 gor the first half year7. The ORS of the Baku Petroleum Plant imeni Stalin opened 12 stores and shops, repaired 54 stores and dinin?
rooms and 49 lunchrooms and tents, and installed three new refrigerators .(.45 )
Sixteen stores for the sale of industrial and food products were put into
operation on first floors of remodeled stores in Bakinskiy Rayon, and seven
stores in Molotovskiy, Duvanninskiy, and other petroleum rayons of 3aku, accord-
ing to Bakinskiy Rabochiv on 29 March. The total commode.,.,, ,'mover of the now
stores wasvalued,at one million rubles a year. It was planned to open 19 addi-
tional industrial goods and food stores 7n Baku7 in 1953.(96)
Pravda, in August, reported an expansion of the trade network in :lzerbayd-
zhan. A footwear store in Kirovskiy Rayoh of Baku had recently been opened,
and-a large grocery and delicatessen store and a ready-to-wear store were to
be. put into operation soon. The URS of "Azneft "' organized 25 specialized
stores within a short time. In addition to funds allotted to it for the second
half of 1953, the URS was to receive additional goods valued at almost 60 mil-
lion rubles; The sale of meat, sausages, butter, and sugar had increased con-
siderably in Baku, it was reported. Wool tubricc were to he received f from
production centers7 in an amount valued at 10 million rubles more than had been
anticipated earlier.(76)
Bakinskiy Rabochiv, in August, stressed the necessity of ending the lag
of enterprises which do not regularly fulfill production plans, and which oper-
ate at a loss. The Ministry of the Construction Materials Industry, the Min-
istry of the Light and Food Industry, the Ministry of Trade, the Ministry of
Agriculture and-Agricultural Procurement, and the Azerbaydzhan Courcil of Indus-
trial Cooperatives were sharply criticized in this respect. In 1'-,52, 23 enter-
prises of. the light, food, meat and dairy, and fish industries ended the fiscal.
year with large deficits. They failed to pay into the budget 14 million rubles,
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and failed to provide the Population with several million meters of cotton anrd
wool textiles,.and tens of thousands of pairs of footwear. In the first hal+
of '053, enterprises under these ministries produced considerably less cotton
goods, butter, cheese, cigarettes, and other consumer goods than pianned.(97)
A 'particularly shorn criticism
f t
o
rade in Zangelanskiy Rayon appeared in
was ful skiy Rabochiy on 24 April. The 1952 commodity turnover plan in this rayon
was only 60.5 percent. Two million rubles' worth of wool and silk
fabrics, sugar, cigarettes and matches, ready-to-wear clothes, footwear, tea,
and confectioneij goods accumulated in warehouses of the rayon consumers union
in Pirchevan at a time of great need for these products in the rayon.(98)
Georgian SSR '
Sovetskaya Latviya, in May 1953, reported that 250 new stores had been
established in cities and villages of the Georgian SSR since the beginning of
1953?(99)
According to Izvestiya in June, more than 100 stores had been put into.
operation in Tbilisi, Batumi, Sukhumi, Rustavi, and other Georgian cities since
the?beginning of 1953, including 30 specialized stores for the sale of foot-
wear; fabrics, and ready-to-wear clothing. Urban and rural workers were said
to be demanding more cultural goods, silk fabrics, sewn and knitted articles,
leather footwear, stylish furniture, and automobiles.(100) Darya Vostoka
indicated that in the first 6 months of 1953, Tbilisi stores sold industrial-
and food products worth 5 billion rubles more than planned.(101) An August
article in Pravda reported that 27 specialized stores had been established in
Tbilisi since the beginning of 1953, and in all, 70 stores, pavilions, booths,
and'stalls were to be constructed in 1953 in this city.(102)
Two articles in Zarya Vostoka, in June and August, discussed the impor-
tance of expanding the network of specialized stores dealing in cultural goods.
The June article stated that, unfortunately, the specialized trade system was
not properly organized. A store in Tbilisi which sells photographic equipment
and sports goods was transferred to 0 lave lektrosvya z I sbyt (Main Administration
for the Sale of Products of the Communications Equipment Industry), and another
store of the same type was transferred to Glavlegsbyt (Main Administration of
Sales, Ministry of Light Industry)-(103) In August, Zarya Vostoka reported
that the Ministry of Trade Georgian SSR had ordered trading organizationsto
establish specialized phonc,;raph record devisions in all lar?e-scale industrial
goods etores and to provide them with necessary equipment for storing and lis-
tening to phonograph records. To improve consumer service, these stores were
required; to stock record catalogs raid a suffir-;.t number of record players. In
addition, the Ministry of Trade ordered the Tbilisi Industrial Trading Organ-
ization to establish in Tbilisi a specialized record store with an assortment
of 2,000 records, and special booths for listening.(]O4)
Criticism was directed at the Georgian consumer cooperatives, in another
Augudt issue of Zarya Vostoka. Very large distribution expenditures resulted
in large monetary losses. As a result of the unfulfilled commodity turnover
plan and-the existence of ahovP-?li,, commodity surpluses, the Abkha7 consumer
cooperatives, and the Akhaltsi.khskiy and Tnit_?].itsl:3roys;:iy?tr_vnn.conumers
unions permitted overexpenditures in distribution outlay::. Because of exces-
sive transshipments of goods through wholesale warehouses, the :2hkhaz con -
sumer cooperatives permitted additional e-nditures in 1952 ameuntir; `o
75,000 :abler. The Dushetskiy Rayon Consumers Union had additional ezi;en-
ditures amounting to 179,600 rubles, and the l!arneulskiy Rayon Consumers
Union, 130,000 rubles.(105)
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A further increase in the production of consumer goods is projected in the
Fifth Five-year Plan in the Kazakh SSR, Kazakhstanskaya Pravda pointed out in
August. Twice as much footwear is to be produced in 1955 as in 19
production of yarn is to increase over 300 uct and the
1953 was to increase 68.6 . Footwear production in
percent over the 1950 output.(106)
In April 1953, Kazakhstanskaya Pravda indicated tha', 1,200 specialized
stores were in operation in Kazakhstan for the sale of bread and baked goods,
meat and fish, fabrics, sewn articles, and footwear. In 1953, about 700 new
trading and public dining P"terprises 'ere to be establ.ished.(107) As of
3 April 1953, 18 new stores had. Ix-.-n opened in nbr?r to alone since the beginning
of the year.(108)
In Karaganda, city of coal miners, 200 new stores and 96 specialized
enterprises were put into operation in 1952, according to Izvestiia.(l2
During 6 months of 1953, stores of the URS f Combine )
32 million rubles' worth more industrial and food commoditi.esothanduringsthe
same period in 1952, and the sale of furniture, motorcycles, and radio receiv-
ing sets more than doubled, Kezakhstanska Pravda reported,(1o9)
An article on trade expansion in the city of Dzhambul appeared in Kazakh-
stanskaya Pravda in August. In the first 6 months of 1953, it was indicated,
citj trading enterprises sold over 5 million rubles' worth more of commodities
than during the same period in 1952. Consumers bought 3 million rubles' worth
of silk fabric. During 7 months of 1953, 16.trading points were opened. A
specialized industrial commodity store and a store for the sale of sewn goods
were to be put into operation during the second half of 1953.(110)
According to Kazakh stanskaya Pravda, on 1 April 1953, taere were 10,000
consumer cooperative stores and shops in the republic, and to the rest of
1953, 70 more stores and 50 shops were to be put into operation. The demand
for cultural goods in rural communities had increased sharply.(lll)
Despite the expansion in rural trade, reporting of shortcomings contin-
ued. In July, Kazakbstanskaya Pravda pointed to.inouf.icient analysis of
consumer demand, poor organization of distribution, and improper training of
workers. Alma-Ata in particular was said to have a retail shortage of vege-
tables, fruits, and berries. Further, it was reported that bases of consumer
cooperatives had accumulated 600 million rubles' worth of goods, and that the
commodity turnover for 52months of 1953 had not been fulfilled by one oblast
consumers union-('11a1
The follciing trade shortcomings eral
reported by Kazakhstans kaya Pravda in August Kazakh cities and oblasts were
In Alma-Ata; the bread trciding'organizatf.one do not satisfy the demands
of.consumers for assortment, and fail tb fulfill the commodity turnover plan,
The,city bread combine does not fulfill'the output plan, and the retail out-
lets are tolerant of disruptions in output (113) Vostochno-Kazakhstanskaya
Oblast is extremely backward in trade development. Salt, matches, tea, soap,
and kerosene are not to be found at retail trade centers, although these prod-
ucts are stocked by trading bases. One trading organization is unable to
organize trade in bread. The manager of the Oblast Trade Division permit,;.,-
interruptions in deliveries of industrial and food commodities. (114+) Planning
and management are poor in the Akmolinskaya Oblast trade network. The ORS of
the Akmolinsk-Pavlodar Railroad Construction Administration expanded its trade
network in Akmolinsk, where the URS of the Karaganda Railroad System has a
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CONFIDENTIAL
department store is still undericonstruction, The refurnishing of an
store footwear
continues for the eighth month.(310)
A Kazakhstanska Pravda article in May indicated that trade in workers'
settlements in Ust'Kamenogorsk was not progressing satisfactorily. The sett'e-
ments had no specialized stores or small shops and had a shortage of necessary
goods. One store had only a small assortment of fabrics, and another had no
salt .(s115):
In a July article, Kazakhstanska Pravda criticized trade in workers'
settlements in Yuzhno-Kazakhstanskaya Oblast, as follows:
In a number of stores in certain workers' settlements there has been no
kerosene or window glass on sale for a long time. There is no salt or dishvoer
available, and the assortment of footwear, sewn goods, knitwear, hosiery, ana
cotton fabric is limited. However, these goods are to be found in storage
bases. More than 4 million rubles' worth of industrial and food products are
stored..in'bases of the Bostandaykskiy Rayon Consumers Union, including 22 car-
loads of salt, 263,000 rubles' worth of shoes, 745,000 rubles' worth of cot-
ton fabric, and 500,000 rubles' worth of sewn goods.(116)
Kirgiz SSR
In.April 1953, Izvestiya stated that, in the preceding
500 new. stores, dining rooms, and restaurants had been putinto eoperationlin
the Kirgiz SSR " In 1952 alone, 211 trading enterprises were added. Tens of
.new specialized stores fors trade in food products, textiles, footwear, ready-
to-wear clothing, and perfumery goods started operation in the first quarter
1953. A sevenfold increase in refrigerati