Related videos:
The buying and selling business, dealing with all kinds of items, is growing in the streets of Havana, independently of the elitist stores created by the government to dollarize the economy.
A video shared on Instagram by the user Dayán (@dayan_81__) shows an increasingly common situation in the Cuban capital. Young people are selling things on the street, in an improvised manner and with a resourcefulness that reflects strategies for surviving the critical economic situation in Cuba.
In this case, they sell sneakers. The sellers arrive with only one shoe from various models to show to the customers. If the buyer is interested and closes the deal, the seller searches for the pair of the shoe elsewhere, delivers the merchandise, and collects the payment.
A pair of branded sneakers in Cuba, supposedly "original," costs 180 dollars. In the comments on the post, several users claim that it is most likely that they are imitations made in China.
“This is the rush”, the seller stated, referring to the buyer's initial impulse upon seeing the product out on the street.
"There are customers who inflate, but there are also customers who pay," explained the merchant, clarifying how these hot transactions work.
Other forms of commerce in the streets of Cuba
Meanwhile, another form of commerce is also spreading in Havana. A video shared on TikTok by the profile Cuba.Live (@cuba.live2) shows the entryways of central streets transformed into informal markets. There, you can find everything from broken appliances to items that have been salvaged from the trash.
These spaces reflect the severity of the crisis. Vendors offer items that, at first glance, seem to lack value, but represent a solution for those seeking spare parts or alternatives in the face of the unaffordable prices of new products.
Among the most common items are old cell phones, computer cables, appliance parts, and other goods, many of which lack documents verifying their origin.
The occupation of public spaces by street vendors is a measure encouraged by the government. Initially, it was controversial, but the authorities did not heed the criticism.
This practice has transformed the urban landscape in the streets of the capital and in other major cities across the country. It reflects urban decay in Cuba. The sidewalks, filled with dirt and disordered goods, hinder pedestrian traffic and exacerbate the deterioration of the environment.
Frequently Asked Questions about Informal Trade in Cuba
Why has informal trade grown on the streets of Havana?
The informal trade has grown in response to the economic crisis facing Cuba, where official stores offer products at prices that are unaffordable for most of the population. Cubans turn to street vending of items such as shoes and used appliances to survive due to the lack of formal economic alternatives.
What types of products are sold in these informal markets in Cuba?
In the informal markets of Cuba, products range from shoes and clothing to broken appliances and salvaged items from the trash. These items, although they may seem worthless at first glance, provide solutions for those who cannot afford new products and are looking for economical alternatives.
How does this situation affect the urban environment of Havana?
The occupation of public spaces by street vendors has transformed the urban landscape, contributing to the deterioration of the streets of Havana. The sidewalks are filled with dirt and disorganized goods, making pedestrian traffic difficult and reflecting urban decay in the Cuban capital.
What strategies do informal vendors use to attract buyers?
Informal sellers in Cuba employ strategies such as displaying only one shoe and looking for its pair after closing the sale. Additionally, they appeal to the "calentón," which is the initial impulse of the buyer upon seeing the product on the street, to close transactions quickly and efficiently.
Filed under: