MINSK, 26 July (BelTA) – Washing machines, fridges and sugar were the best selling products in Minsk in January-June 2011, BelTA learnt from the chief statistics bureau of Minsk. The sales of these products in physical terms rose by 83.1%, 68.1% and 50% respectively over the same period last year. Overall, in January-June the retail trade via all outlets in Minsk amounted to Br11,784.7 billion, up by 14.6% in comparable prices over the same period in 2010. Br5,399.9 billion worth of foods, beverages and tobacco products were sold, as well as Br6,384.8 billion worth of nonfoods, up by 14.3% and 14.8% over the same period in 2010. Belarus-made products accounted for 61.8% of all retail sales, with foods, beverages and tobacco products accounting for 77.4% and non-foods 45.9%. The following products contributed to the increase in food sales in physical terms: sugar rose by 50%, meat preserves by 38.1%, non-alcoholic beverages by 18.6%, macaroni by 18.2%, meat products by 15.4%, fruit and vegetable juices by 14.5%. The sales of cereals shrank by 2.4%. In H1 Minsk retail outlets sold Br714.8 billion worth of alcoholic beverages and beer, which made 8% of the total retail sales. The greatest non-food hits were washing machines (their sales rose by 83.1% over the same period last year), fridges and freezers (up by 68.1%), TV sets (up by 15.4%) in physical terms, as well as construction materials (up by 48%), pharmaceutical products (up by 38.3%), detergents (up by 24.9%) in money terms. The sales of motor fuel dropped by 1.8%. In H1 markets and shopping centers of Minsk accounted for the sales of 19.4% of foods, beverages and tobacco products and 27.7% of non-foods.

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