Rozmieszczenie i funkcjonowanie usług bytowych i handlu detalicznego na wsi w woj. skierniewickim

The article presents results of studies on location of the network of retail trade and consumer services with a special emphasis laid on its spatial concentration, demand for services and population's preferences as regards location of consumer goods and services purchases. Most data were provided by questionnaire surveys on rural population with an additional source of information being data coming from records of retail trade and service units in 12 analyzed administrative communes. The performed studies revealed a considerable underdevelopment of these spheres of activity in rural areas of Skierniewice administrative province. It is visible in many aspects out of which there should be mentioned, first of all absence or big quantitative disproportions in spatial distribution of retail and service network, shortcomings in location of the network as regards its types of units and branch structure. In many cases it leads to restriction of demand (especially for consumer services) or poses big difficulties in satisfaction of this demand oftentimes exposing consumers to many difficulties, waste of their time, and additional costs. In the final part of the article, the authors formulated several conclusions concerning desirable directions of operation of economic units in conditions of the economic crisis, and especially as regards rural trade cooperatives.