Penza, 30 January 2014. PenzaNews. The Minister of Economy of the Penza region Olesya Safonova announced the results of socio-economic development of the region for the period of 2013 during a press conference held on Thursday, January 30. She clarified that the turnover of retail trade of consumer goods amounted to over 160,8 billion rubles.

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“This is 8,5% more than in 2012. Penza takes the first place in the Volga Federal District. Consumer market remains one of the most profitable and attractive investment segments of the economy. Of course, last year the positive factors that influenced its development were activities devoted to the celebration of the city anniversary,” the minister explained.

According to Olesya Safonova, positive trends were also observed in the turnover of public catering, which was formed in 2013 in the amount of 7,43 billion rubles.

“At the end of the year, over 13 thousand permanent establishments of consumer market had been operating in the region, including 7,760 shops, 4,533 consumer services, 1,626 catering facilities,” she said.

The minister added that in 2013, the inflation index in the Penza region amounted to 106,2 %.

Olesya Safonov clarified that consumer prices for food increased by 7%, while for non-food — by 3,7%.

“Service rates increased by 8,8 %. Housing price growth amounted to 111,5 %. However, nominal per capita cash income made 18,226 rubles, which is 15,6 % or 2,461 rubles higher than in 2012 by. Average nominal wages of the period of January-November 2013 amounted to 20,168 rubles, which is 13,3% or 2,368 rubles higher compared to January-November 2012,” the Minister of Economy of the Penza region reported.