UrBC, Yekaterinburg, November 17, 2015. Sales of cameras and photographic equipment dropped by 30% compared with a year earlier, the store Photo-Man informs UrBC.

‘This used to be a ‘hot’ market but it’s turned ‘cold’ now, which means customers need to be talked into buying this or that item. A lot depends on the store’s strategy and the techniques employed to lure more customers in. However, the overall demand is stable enough and is expected to rise in the holiday season, just like in the previous years. I don’t think the situation is likely to be greatly different next year,’ they say.

According to the store representatives, their current customers can be divided into two categories, those of amateurs and professionals. The latter need the equipment in any case, so they will keep on buying, high prices notwithstanding. The former will play it by ear and will often put off a purchase for a while.