In the USSR, shortages were particularly noticeable in the period from the 1970s to the 1980s. This was caused by possibly ineffective economic planning. As a result, many goods were in short supply, including food, clothing, footwear, household appliances, building materials, etc. People had to spend a lot of time and effort searching for the necessary things and standing in lines. This also led to the black market, bribes, speculation.
There was such a thing as “getting a thing”. That is, not buying, but getting it.
Now it may seem strange. But back then it happened. You go into a store, and there are canned goods stacked in pyramids. And there is nothing else on the shelves.
Speculation
The shortage of goods has led to speculation. Speculation is the buying or selling of assets (e.g. securities, goods) with the aim of making a profit based on the difference in price. Speculation can be based on market analysis and prediction of its movement, or on pure luck.
In the USSR, speculation was prohibited and considered a crime. It was even mentioned in Article 88 of the Criminal Code of the RSFSR as “illegal entrepreneurship,” for which punishments were provided for up to 3 years of imprisonment.
However, because the Soviet state was a command economy, where all goods were centrally distributed rather than sold at market prices, speculation was widespread. People traded on the black market, buying goods at low prices at farmers’ markets or stores, and then selling them at a large markup.
There was also the phenomenon of “penny trading,” where people would buy certain goods (such as treats for children or perfume) and sell them in small quantities at a small markup.
Unfortunately, speculation meant that many citizens could not afford to buy the goods they needed to live (e.g. meat, milk, vegetables). It also increased inflation and undermined the state’s economy.