At the beginning of the year, the stationary retail trade network of legal entity enterprises in the region numbered 1,476 stores with a retail area of almost 129,000 square meters, 531 kiosks, and 1,187 catering establishments. \n \nOf these, half of the stores and catering establishments and every seventh kiosk are located in rural areas. In addition, 56 markets operate in the region, with over 18,000 trading places equipped. The network of universal stores and supermarkets is expanding. Last year their number doubled. Today there are 25 such establishments operating in the region. The average retail area of one supermarket is 835 square meters. Supermarkets account for 23 percent of the total area of food stores. \n \nIn recent years, there has been a gradual curtailment of the trade network owned by legal entity enterprises. Mostly unprofitable trade establishments are closing both in cities and in villages. They are, as a rule, leased out or sold to individual entrepreneurs. \n \nPer ten thousand residents of the region, there are nine food stores, five non-food stores, five kiosks, and 11 catering establishments. The provision of the population with store retail area per ten thousand residents increased over the year from 1,207 square meters to 1,231. Moreover, in rural areas this indicator is 40 percent lower than in cities. In cafes, canteens, bars, and restaurants, there are 685 seats per ten thousand citizens. By this indicator, Volyn ranks first among the regions of Ukraine. \n \nIt should also be noted that there has been significant growth in the network of pharmacy establishments and gas stations. They number 429 and 116, respectively. \n