It is a popular tourist destination for those visiting Moscow. Many of the stores feature high-fashion brand names familiar in the west; locals refer to these as the "exhibitions of prices", the joke being that no one could afford to actually buy any of the items on display. As of 2005, there were approximately 200 stores.
The showpiece of the Soviet economy was the GUM department store, which faces the Kremlin across Red Square. Goods can be found at much cheaper prices in other parts of the city, so it is a good idea for visitors to see what is on offer at GUM and then buy elsewhere.
All you may need about buying clothes and accessories in Moscow. All Moscow boutiques, presents, accessories, footwear, sales, shopping centers - with your private guide!
The Petrovsky Passage
The Petrovsky Passage is an elite department store opened on Petrovka Street in downtown Moscow in 1906. The engineer Vladimir Shukhov, also responsible for the GUM and the Shabolovka tower, designed a covered arcade with two wide three-storey galleries covered with high-pitched semi-cylindrical glass vaulting. The second storeys of opposite galleries are connected by exquisitely designed ferroconcrete catwalks. In the 1990s, the shop was revamped as the centre of one of the most expensive shopping areas in Europe.
Popular shopping streets
Popular shopping streets in the area include Novy Arbat (a major thoroughfare to the west of the Kremlin) and Arbat ulitsa, which runs parallel to it. Okhoktny ryad, the newest of the arcades in Moscow, is also worth a visit, if only to see Russian aspirational consumerism gone mad. Built by Moscow's mayor, Yuri Luzhkov, for a princely sum of US$350 million, it is as much a tribute to consumerism as his other brainchild, the Christ the Saviour Cathedral, is a symbol of Russia's religious renaissance. Tverskaya ulitsa, heading north from Red Square, is Moscow's most fashionable shopping street and the address of some expensive boutiques. Classic Russian chic can be found at Valentin Yudashkin, on Kutuzovsky prospekt, one of the grandest shopping streets in Moscow, which is also home to the exclusive Moskva Shopping Centre.
For the souvenir hunter, Palekh and Kholui lacquered boxes make attractive gifts, as do the traditional Matryoshka dolls (wooden dolls within dolls) and samovars. Other options are Khokhloma wooden cups, saucers and spoons (painted gold, red and black) and Dymkovskaya Igrushka pottery figurines based on popular folklore characters. Engraved amber, Gzhel porcelain, Vologda lace and Fabergé eggs and jewellery are highly sought after. Mementoes from the Red Army abound. Izmailovskii Park has a good craft market at the weekends and with careful bartering can stretch those Dollars a bit further. Antiques, valuables, works of art and manuscripts, other than those offered for sale in souvenir shops, may not be taken out of the Russian Federation without an export licence.
For a real taste of Russia, the Cheremushinsky Rynok, on Lomonovksy prospekt, gathers together fresh produce from all corners of the former Soviet Union. The market is open Monday-Saturday 0700-1900 and Sunday 0700-1700. Visitors should not expect pristine hygiene, although bargains are plentiful. The Konkovo Fair, open daily 0800-2000 and located on Profsoyuznaya ulitsa, is Moscow's largest market and caters to function rather than form, selling clothes, household goods and food.
Shopping hours are generally Monday to Saturday 0900-1800, although some larger stores open from 1000-2000, while smaller shops still take a break from 1300-1500. VAT stands at 20% (10% for certain foodstuffs and items for children).
Gorbushka (Russian: ТЦ "Горбушка", shopping center Gorbushka) is a marketplace for dealing in music, electronics and household equipment in Moscow, Russia.
Before the year 2001 the name "Gorbushka" referred to an open-air black market for music, videos and electronics. The market was in the city square by the Gorbunov Palace of Culture ( ДК имени Горбунова), hence the name. The term itself is an associative usage of an untranslatable Russian word for the first slice of a round loaf bread half-covered with bread crust and with the shape resembling a hump (Russian:горб). The word itself has many cultural associations in Russia.
The market dealt mostly in unlicensed music and software CDs, videos, gaming consoles with mod chips, as well as PC and console games. Due to the copyright infringement issues Gorbushka was in sights of the government for a long time. The market closed in 2001.
Near of its place was opened a more legal shopping center Gorbuskin dvor.
Detsky Mir (Children's World)
Detsky Mir (Children's World) is the largest children's universal store in Europe; since 1947 it brings joy to the children of Russian capital.
Detsky Mir is a real paradise for children and, therefore, a minefield for your purse. Your son or daughter will surely enjoy light and roomy halls with high ceilings, packed with toys of various kinds: meccanos, puzzles, dolls, electronic games: The merry-go-round in the centre of the main hall, though closed almost all the time, is the object of special delight. As for adults, here they will find some luxury boutiques, souvenir shops, usually offering different wood paintings and carving, and even the Swiss watches salon. Detsky Mir has a well-kept secret other than its real ice-cream milkshakes served year-round.
On the fourth floor of the classic shop, still operating with the Soviet system of specific departments for each type of item needed, there is an authentic Stalin-era cafe. What makes this cafeteria the genuine article is the system of selecting typical Russian dishes by sliding a plastic tray along metal rollers and peering into darkened cabinets full of vinaigrette salads, herring and beets, pirogi and cabbage dishes.
Russian Shopping Information
Visitors to Russia will find plenty of ways to spend their money in Moscow where shops catering for tourists are everywhere. Here you'll find art and antique stores, souvenir shops, department stores and outdoor flea markets.
Russia's shops, stalls and department stores sell many items to travelers, including crystal bowls, leather bags, and woolen sweaters, as well as fine amber jewelry, paintings and sculptures.
It is necessary to allow extra time for souvenir hunting: shopping can be a time-consuming activity, owing to the relatively chaotic state of the retail trade in the Russian Federation. It is also advisable to shop around, as prices vary significantly.
Kholui and Palekh lacquered boxes make attractive souvenirs. Traditional and amusing Matryoshka dolls (wooden dolls within dolls) are widely available. Khokhloma wooden cups, saucers and spoons are painted gold, red and black. Dymkovskaya Igrushka are pottery figurines based on popular folklore characters. Engraved amber, Gzhel porcelain, Vologda lace and Faberge eggs (Easter eggs) and jewelry are highly sought after. A Samovar (a metal urn with a spigot at the base, used in Russia to boil water for tea) also makes a good souvenir.
Interestingly enough at each station of the Trans-Siberian Railway you will find old ladies who will sell homemade food. They will offer you warm food like pelmeni (a sort of little boiled pasties), bread, sausages, pickles, and smoked fish. However, each station has something different. Do not hesitate to buy something from them, their goods are delicious.
Shops accept payments in roubles and, occasionally, by credit card.
Russian's general shopping hours are Mondays - Saturdays 09:00am to 19:00pm and most food stores are open on Sundays. 24 hour stores are only now becoming somewhat more common. Local banking hours are from Mondays to Fridays 09:30am to 17:30pm.
)
The Petrovsky Passage is an elite department store opened on Petrovka Street in downtown Moscow in 1906. The engineer Vladimir Shukhov, also responsible for the GUM and the Shabolovka tower, designed a covered arcade with two wide three-storey galleries covered with high-pitched semi-cylindrical glass vaulting. The second storeys of opposite galleries are connected by exquisitely designed ferroconcrete catwalks. In the 1990s, the shop was revamped as the centre of one of the most expensive shopping areas in Europe.
Popular shopping streets in the area include Novy Arbat (a major thoroughfare to the west of the Kremlin) and Arbat ulitsa, which runs parallel to it. Okhoktny ryad, the newest of the arcades in Moscow, is also worth a visit, if only to see Russian aspirational consumerism gone mad. Built by Moscow's mayor, Yuri Luzhkov, for a princely sum of US$350 million, it is as much a tribute to consumerism as his other brainchild, the Christ the Saviour Cathedral, is a symbol of Russia's religious renaissance. Tverskaya ulitsa, heading north from Red Square, is Moscow's most fashionable shopping street and the address of some expensive boutiques. Classic Russian chic can be found at Valentin Yudashkin, on Kutuzovsky prospekt, one of the grandest shopping streets in Moscow, which is also home to the exclusive Moskva Shopping Centre.
For the souvenir hunter, Palekh and Kholui lacquered boxes make attractive gifts, as do the traditional Matryoshka dolls (wooden dolls within dolls) and samovars. Other options are Khokhloma wooden cups, saucers and spoons (painted gold, red and black) and Dymkovskaya Igrushka pottery figurines based on popular folklore characters. Engraved amber, Gzhel porcelain, Vologda lace and Fabergé eggs and jewellery are highly sought after. Mementoes from the Red Army abound. Izmailovskii Park has a good craft market at the weekends and with careful bartering can stretch those Dollars a bit further. Antiques, valuables, works of art and manuscripts, other than those offered for sale in souvenir shops, may not be taken out of the Russian Federation without an export licence.
)
)
Visitors to Russia will find plenty of ways to spend their money in Moscow where shops catering for tourists are everywhere. Here you'll find art and antique stores, souvenir shops, department stores and outdoor flea markets.