Miory Regional Executive Committee
Many household services, such as dry cleaning, laundry, and repair of footwear, clothing, and equipment, enjoyed high demand among residents of large cities and small settlements even during the Soviet era. It was much simpler and cheaper to have an item repaired than to purchase a new one. With the emergence of mass-market retail chains and online stores offering fairly budget-friendly goods, household service complexes lost part of their customer base, and some were forced to close down. Moreover, in recent years, private tailor shops, hair salons, beauty parlors, and repair workshops have been opening up. How to preserve the entire "household services network," which remains popular among residents of rural areas under conditions of high competition in the service market, and what are the most unusual orders received from residents of the Polotsk region, were explained to a BELTA correspondent by employees of JSC "Polotskbyt," which has been successfully operating in this field for over 70 years.
Approximately 110 people are employed at the organization. The complex provides eight socially significant services, including to the population of the Polotsk district and adjacent districts – Ushachy, Verkhnedvinsk, and Rassony. The JSC includes five comprehensive reception points in rural areas. On a designated day (usually announced in advance by the rural executive committee, with which the enterprise maintains contact), residents of villages and settlements bring items here to be sent for dry cleaning, repair, or mending. "Polotskbyt" is equipped with the necessary transport, allowing them to accept quite bulky items from rural residents, such as pillows, blankets, and carpets. The order completion time and cost are stated on the spot, so the customer clearly understands the total expense.
The most popular services in rural areas are hairdressing and clothing repair; staff from the House of Household Services also provide these on-site on certain days. On the eve of state holidays, such as Victory Day, for example, discounts on haircuts are provided for veterans and pensioners of certain categories, and such "discounts" are highly in demand among representatives of the golden age.
In general, "Polotskbyt" offers approximately 20 household services across its areas of activity. Five of these services are sufficiently profitable to generate revenue for the enterprise. Nevertheless, services that do not yield high profits but remain in demand among residents of Polotsk and rural areas are maintained. Dry cleaning is one such service.
Feedback regarding the quality of this service is exclusively positive, which is further confirmed by a steady flow of customers. This success is attributable not only to modern equipment but also to the expertise of the staff. Upon receiving items from customers, specialists promptly identify any defects, outline potential outcomes, and clarify warranty conditions. "We consistently advise retaining the garment care label, which specifies the recommended cleaning method. For instance, this may indicate dry cleaning, delicate washing, or the suitability for chemical solvents. Such information enables us to perform the cleaning accurately and to a high standard, ensuring optimal results. Furthermore, we strongly recommend against attempting to remove any stain (from grease, paint, beverages, or plant juices) at home using various detergents or rubbing them. Simply leave the stain untouched. Even if an item has been stored at home for one or two months, we can successfully remove the contamination, provided that no household cleaning agents have been applied to it. Otherwise, the outcome may be unpredictable, and we would be unable to offer a guarantee to the customer," noted the staff of the Household Services Center.
Previously, shoe repair also generated profit at the Household Services Combine. Today, online marketplaces and retail outlets offer dress shoes, sneakers, boots, and footwear, including children’s sizes, at such low prices that consumers generally find it more practical to purchase a new pair than to repair a heavily worn one. Currently, items submitted for repair typically feature natural materials, justifying their preservation. This service is predominantly utilized by pensioners.
"We maintain prices for the services provided at almost constant levels, increasing them only very rarely, as we understand that otherwise clients would leave. For many customers, cost is a decisive factor. Based on an analysis of other household service complexes, we can state that our pricing range is among the lowest in the region," highlight the employees of "Polotskbyt".
The enterprise also adheres to a prudent financial policy, carefully accounting for every earned unit of currency. Modernization and equipment procurement, such as for laundry facilities, are carried out using the organization's own funds.
The sewing atelier at the Household Service Center consistently enjoys steady popularity. "All custom tailoring is performed in-house," note the seamstresses, some of whom have nearly 40 years of professional experience.
Orders typically originate from educational, cultural, and sports institutions requiring unique garments that differ from standard models, or conversely, identical attire, such as dance costumes for entire ensembles. The atelier also serves regular clients who value individualized service. For instance, a senior resident of Polotsk prefers to commission clothing specifically from the masters of the Household Service Center, as they can draft patterns "based on images from the internet," ensure precise fitting, and provide recommendations regarding style, eye color, and other details. Occasionally, specialists collaborate with the client to sketch a design based on a verbal description, forming an excellent creative partnership between the customer and the pattern maker, who anticipates requirements with minimal explanation.
The most unconventional order received by the seamstresses was a wedding gown featuring three layers, silk fabric, and elaborate detailing. The task was completed successfully, and the bride expressed great satisfaction with the result.
The skilled workers also produce in-demand bedding made from natural fabrics. This product is also sought after and contributes to the enterprise’s revenue.
The "Polotskbyt" enterprise also faces certain challenges, one of which is qualified personnel. For instance, there is a need for seamstresses. To attract workers and staff, the enterprise has signed a cooperation agreement with the Polotsk State Chemical and Technological College. Last year, the household services complex hired three young specialists. Special working conditions have been established for these new employees; for example, during the first six months, they are not assigned individual production targets, and their output norms are reduced by 20%.
Alyesha PUSHNYAKOVA,
photo by Alexander KHITROV