Vneshposyltorg shops: hard currency trade in the USSR (1960-1980s)

Based on archive documents the author describes a system of trade for foreign currency and its substitutes in the USSR in the late 1950s - late 1980s. The reasons why the shops like «Beriozka» were run, what groups of Soviet citizens visited them are described; the author describes the range of goods and services provided there. The reasons for changes and circumstances of closing of these shops are considered.