Kuksin Ya.K., Barinshtein A. M., Aleksandrov E. A., Rachkov T. V.,  Krasnoperov M. V., Mayorov D. A. Serving both the village and the city: Marketplaces as a factor of transformation of trade and everyday life in small towns and rural areas in the Nizhny Novgorod Region // The Russian Peasant Studies. 2026. V.11. №3. P. 194-218.

EDN: VQIYWF

Annotation

The study aims at understanding the effects on trade and population of the largest marketplaces expansion into small towns and rural settlements in the Nizhny Novgorod Region. On the example of 47 settlements in 16 municipalities, the authors consider how pickup points transform trade and everyday life in rural areas using the methods of interview with marketplace employees, local residents and business representatives, spatial and statistical analysis. The article describes the geographical expansion of pickup point networks — from the pandemic period to the current stage of rural development. The authors emphasize the dual impact of digitalization: on one hand, it leads to the decline of traditional markets; on the other hand, it helps small grocery stores survive. The article pays particular attention to the adaptive strategies in opening pickup points: on the basis of grocery stores and post offices, for one’s needs or for one’s business logistics. The authors identify general effects of the marketplaces expansion: the weakening position of local offline non-food retail, expanded consumption opportunities and increased convenience for local residents, and a reduction in their consumer mobility. The study shows the link between settlement size, type and status and the variation in effects transforming both life and trade. The findings offer a new perspective on the interaction between online platforms, traditional retail and rural lifestyles, allowing for an assessment of how these processes influence space-time compression, related markets and the characteristics of place.

Keywords

Marketplaces, pickup points, transformation of lifestyle, transformation of trade, Nizhny Novgorod Region, rural areas, small towns.  

About the authors

Yaroslav K. Kuksin, Master’s Student, Department of Economic and Social Geography of Russia, Faculty of Geography, Lomonosov Moscow State University. Leninskie Gory, 1, Moscow, 119991.
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Anna M. Barinshtein, Student, Faculty of Geography and Geoinformation Technology, HSE University. Pokrovsky Bl., 11, Moscow, 109028.
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Evgeny A. Aleksandrov, Master’s Student, Department of Economic and Social Geography of Russia, Faculty of Geography, Lomonosov Moscow State University. Leninskie Gory, 1, Moscow, 119991.
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Timofei V. Rachkov, Master’s Student, Department of Economic and Social Geography of Russia, Faculty of Geography, Lomonosov Moscow State University. Leninskie Gory, 1, Moscow, 119991.
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Maksim V. Krasnoperov, Student, Department of Economic and Social Geography of Russia, Faculty of Geography, Lomonosov Moscow State University. Leninskie Gory, 1, Moscow, 119991.
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Dmitry A. Mayorov, Master’s Student, Department of Economic and Social Geography of Russia, Faculty of Geography, Lomonosov Moscow State University. Leninskie Gory, 1, Moscow, 119991.
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Cherepanova E. A., Shirokova P. A., Nazarenko G. A., Prusikhin O. E., Krutov O. D., Aleksandrov E. A., Koldobskaya N. A. The impact of path dependence on the adaptation of old-developed industrial regions of the Lower Oka Region to changing economic conditions in the post-Soviet period // The Russian Peasant Studies. 2025. V.10. №4. P. 165-184.

EDN: RHYULJ

Annotation

The article considers the influence of “path dependence” on the adaptation of old industrial territories of the Nizhny Novgorod Region to the changing economic conditions in the post-Soviet period. The authors identify two different development trajectories — in the northern part (Pavlovsky and Vachsky districts) with a predominance of small business and handicraft production and in the southern part (Vyksa, Kulebaki, Navashino) with a predominance of large enterprises. The study is based on interviews, statistical and archival data. The comparative analysis showed that northern territories managed to adapt by restructuring and diversification of production based on the historical handicraft traditions, while southern territories maintained a monocentric model with the city-forming enterprise determining economic and social life. The authors identify three types of “blocking effects” (functional, political, and cognitive) that make it diff icult to diversify the economy in southern regions. On the contrary, in northern regions, a developed network of cooperating small enterprises contributes to the sustainability and flexibility of the local economy. Thus, historical specialization of territories still determines their development trajectories.

Keywords

Old industrial territories, path dependency, Nizhny Novgorod Region, Lower Oka Region, small towns, single-industry towns, ferrous metallurgy.  

About the authors

Ekaterina A. Cherepanova, Senior Analyst, Center for Strategic Research, Gazetny Per., 3–5, bldg. 1, Moscow, 125009, Russia.
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Polina A. Shirokova, Independent Researcher. Sitnikova St., 2, Balashikha, Moscow Region, 143923, Russia.
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Grigory A. Nazarenko, PhD Student, Department of Economic and Social Geography of Russia, Faculty of Geography, Lomonosov Moscow State University. Leninskie Gory, 1, GSP-1, Moscow, 119991, Russia.
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Oleg E. Prusikhin, PhD Student, Senior Engineer, Department of Economic and Social Geography of Russia, Faculty of Geography, Lomonosov Moscow State University. Leninskie Gory, 1, GSP-1, Moscow, 119991, Russia.
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Oleg D. Krutov, PhD Student, Senior Engineer, Department of Economic and Social Geography of Russia, Faculty of Geography, Lomonosov Moscow State University. Leninskie Gory, 1, GSP-1, Moscow, 119991, Russia.
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Evgeny A. Aleksandrov, Master’s Student, Department of Economic and Social Geography of Russia, Faculty of Geography, Lomonosov Moscow State University. Leninskie Gory, 1, GSP-1, Moscow, 119991, Russia.
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Natalia A. Koldobskaya, PhD (Geography), Associate Professor, Department of Economic and Social Geography of Russia, Faculty of Geography, Lomonosov Moscow State University. Leninskie Gory, 1, GSP-1, Moscow, 119991, Russia.
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