Only about half of the native-born Russians will remember the chronic shortages of products during the Soviet era, but younger generations are now getting their first taste of it as foreign products have disappeared from store shelves, the Washington Post reports.
With Russia products like cars and clothes being notoriously poorly manufactured, Russians with the wherewithal and means gravitate to foreign-made goods from countries like Germany, Japan and the United States. Now, those products can’t be found.
The shortages are also impacting industry. Airlines cannot get spare parts for their planes, many of which are from European manufacturers. Communications companies can’t get replacement parts for cell phone towers and signal amplifiers.
With these shortages, the re-sale, salvage and “vintage” markets are booming, with auto parts recyclers finding new markets for high end cars made by BMW, Mercedes and Renault. Fashion outlets are starting to stock clothes that have been swapped for new apparel.
While food shortages are not being reported as of yet, foodstuffs in high end grocery stores are being replaced by more pedestrian Russian brands.