Trends and features of retail trade development in the region (information and statistical review)

The purpose of the paper is to assess main trends and problems of retail trade at the regional level and the effects of this economic activity on the specific subject of the Russian Federation. The study was based not only on statistics and information about the commercial networks' activities, but also on the results of the questionnaire surveys of municipalities' heads and the residents of the city of Vologda, held in 2019 which revealed the qualitative assessment of the situation in the sphere of trade. To reach the stated objectives the author used the following scientific methods, economic,statistical and comparative analysis, methods of synthesis and sociological research, monographic method. The article presents data on revenues, number of stores and number of employees of major Federal retail chains in Russia (X5 Retail Group, Magnit, Dixy, Lenta, Auchan, Metro, Okay, Monetka, Globus), a brief overview of the main regional trade networks of the Vologda Oblast (Maksi, Oblpotrebsoyuz, Pishchetorg, Vologodskaya Korzina, Zolotoi Klyuchik, Severniy Gradus). It is shown that the main trends of retail trade in Russia in recent years are the active development of trade networks, the rapid expansion of geographical presence of national chains, a significant reduction in the proportion of sales in the retail markets against the backdrop of rapid growth in the number of hypermarkets, supermarkets and shopping and leisure centers. The surveyed municipal districts' heads divided into two much the same groups who assessed the impact of trade networks on the municipalities' development positively and negatively. The survey of the residents of the city of Vologda showed that they often visit the stores of “Maksi”, “Magnit” and “Pyaterochka” (usually 2-3 times a week). The research findings can be used in the activities of the regional and local authorities, as well as serve as a basis for further research on the considered subject.