printSpecifics of informal markets in a Russian city (the case of the Novokuznetsk flea market)
Kuznetsova Yu.A.
Dr. Sci. (Econ.), Assoc. Prof., Prof. of Department of Humanities, Socioeconomic Disciplines, and Management Information Technologies, Kuzbass Institute of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia, Kuzbass, Russia acanaria2005@yandex.ru
Kuznetsova Yu.A. Specifics of informal markets in a Russian city (the case of the Novokuznetsk flea market). Sotsiologicheskie issledovaniya [Sociological Studies]. 2026. No 4. P. 140-147
The activities of informal markets remain a focus of attention for government agencies and the academic community. Despite their significant contribution to the economy and numerous positive functions, informal markets are often perceived negatively, as they pose risks to their participants and society at large. This article aims to present a comprehensive description of the Novokuznetsk flea market as a form of informal market, using it as an example. Based on 66 observations over three years and a survey of 139 sellers and 308 buyers (2019, 2022, and 2025), we developed market types based on their emphasis on satisfying economic, social, and other needs. We also characterized the market space and sales processes, and identified key sources of risk. The main conclusion is that the flea market is an ecosystem oriented, on the one hand, towards supporting the livelihoods of the poor, on the other, towards meeting the social and cultural needs of the population, and on the third, it is positioned as a place of leisure with a low level of danger.
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