Shopping in Moscow

Since the fall of the Soviet Union, a lot of changes have taken place in Moscow, Russia. The shopping opportunities in the capital city of Russia are no exception to that. Just about every Western brand has an outlet in Russia now. You can expect serious shoppers to start going crazy once they see the malls and boutiques in Moscow, Russia.

Shopping in Russia is definitely different from anywhere else that I’ve ever shopped. Stores come in several sizes, each with a particular kind of character. You can see what I mean when you visit any one of the local stores in Russia.

If you’re looking for the most basic of necessities like food, be prepared for a different kind of shopping. Groceries in Moscow, Russia are set up quite differently. When you go into the store, you will see several counters, each with store personnel. Behind those counters, you will see a choice of products. If you want to purchase something in these peculiar stores in Russia, you have to go up to each counter, make your choices, the personnel weighs it if need be and then you pay for it at the cashier which is usually located behind a small desk in a corner by the door. The same setup can also be found in and around all of Russia’s grocery stores, bookstores, toy shops, fabric shops and even some department stores. I bet shoplifting is a pretty unheard of event in Russia – Moscow at the very least. And Also, the rule is that you have to bring your own bags when it comes to these stores in Russia.

If you’re looking for a place to shop in Moscow, Russia in the traditional sense, head to a yarmarka – basically a market. People set up stands and sell their goods. It’s the best place in Russia to find a bargain due to the competition of many vendors selling the same things.

One weird thing I notice when shopping in Moscow, Russia is, while everything may be available, it’s not always that easy to find. Some of the stores in Russia don’t sell what other stores sell. I’ve seen butcher shops that sell only beef for one day then pork the next. Shopping in Russia can really be odd for first timers.

But of course, a shopping trip in Russia isn’t really a shopping trip if all you buy is food, right? What happened to all my talk of big-named Western brands at the start of this thing? Those stores will probably give you the type of shopping experience in Moscow, Russia that you would expect anywhere else.

Here’s the thing, the people in Moscow, Russia happen to be some of the more liberated partygoers out there. They always look good and mind you, the things they shop for are expensive. They are name brands after all. If you can get used to the odd store setups, I suggest you find a yarmarka or a warehouse if you want to go bargain shopping in Moscow, Russia.

Photo credit: http://www.sxc.hu