From the Experience of Consumer Cooperation in the Era of Thaw: Based on Materials from the Chuvash Republic

The research examines the peculiarities of the functioning of consumer cooperation during the Thaw period (1953–1965) based on materials from the Chuvash Republic. The analysis of specialized literature, regulatory documents, archival records, and newspaper publications has shed light on the activities of Chuvashpotrebsoyuz, consumer societies, and enterprises, allowing for well-founded generalizations and conclusions. The research employs a systemic and comparative approach and an institutional approach. It explores the forms and methods of consumer cooperative activities under the easing of the political regime, socio-economic reforms within the framework of planned economy, and the command-administrative system of management. The authors provide examples of the expansion of the retail network, the increase in public catering enterprises, the intensification of procurement activities, information on working with cooperative members, etc. Despite the decline in the cooperative sector’s share in trade due to the urbanization of the population of the Chuvash Republic, consumer cooperation continued to dominate in supplying the population with goods and services, primarily rural ones. The achievements of Chuvash cooperators during the considered period laid a significant foundation for the future, allowing them to maintain advanced positions in the country’s consumer cooperation system to this day. The research material holds scientific and practical interest. The experience of cooperators during the Thaw period can be valuable in our time.