Trade in the markets of the Russian Empire was strictly regulated, and the authorities closely monitored compliance with sanitary standards. Let's consider this using the example of the Penza province. The trading areas were significant in size and included meat shops and stalls for selling flour and bread. In the meat rows, beef of various grades was offered, displayed on wide tables covered with clean cloth.

Next to the meat shops were sellers of nuts, seeds, and apples. Vegetables and fruits were abundant, especially in the autumn, and among them, one could even find pineapples. In the flour stalls, the goods were displayed in bags so that customers could see them. A little aside were the rows with 'iron goods': pipes, stoves, buckets, and cast iron products. Household utensils were also sold at the markets.

In 1865, journalist Nikolai Prozin from the 'Penza Provincial Gazette' described that one could find poultry at the markets. Chickens, geese, turkeys, and ducks were covered with nets and iron caps. The chickens were mostly Russian, but sometimes Dutch and Indian breeds were encountered. These birds were large, and the roosters had high muscular legs. The ducks were very fat, as were the geese. Game birds were hung on wooden poles and perches, mainly consisting of capercaillies, hazel grouse, and wild ducks, priced at no less than 7 kopecks per pair. Fish was sold from carts and tables, and it was inexpensive: for delicacy sturgeon, only 12 kopecks were asked, which at the current exchange rate is about 150 rubles.

Off to the side was a flea market where everything was sold at affordable prices. Prozin noted that at the flea market, one could find everything: from a tea set with a tompak samovar to a harness set for a horse, antique clocks, and a box with secret compartments. Here, one could also purchase a violin for 15-20 rubles, which after repair in St. Petersburg could cost up to 200 rubles.