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Shopping Guide to Moscow: Where and How to Shop
Welcome to Moscow! Moving to a new country is a big adventure. To help you settle in, we have prepared this guide to shops and marketplaces. Here you will find all the essential information on where and how to shop in the Russian capital.
Marketplaces (Online Stores)
Online shopping is very popular in Russia. It is often more profitable and convenient than shopping in regular stores
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The Most Popular Marketplaces
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How to Place an Order:
Go to the marketplace's website or download its app to your phone
Switch the language to English (the language icon is usually at the top or bottom of the page)
Register by providing your phone number (this is the primary method of identification in Russia)
Select a product, add it to your cart, and checkout
Choose a convenient delivery method
Delivery Methods:
Pick-up Point (Punkt vydachi zakazov - PVZ) — the most popular and often free option. These are small points located near metro stations or in residential areas. There are very many of them in Moscow
Courier to your door — convenient, but can be more expensive. The courier will call you in advance
Pick-up Terminal (Postamat) — an automated terminal for order pickup. You receive a code via SMS and retrieve your order from a locker. Postamats are often located in the lobbies of supermarkets and shopping malls
Payment Methods:
Most often, people pay by card online when placing the order
You can also pay by cash or card to the courier upon receipt
At a pick-up point (PVZ), you can pay by cash or card upon receipt
Supermarkets (Grocery Stores)
Moscow has many chain supermarkets for any budget
Economy Class (Budget):
Pyaterochka
The most widespread chain. Low prices, many promotions and own-brand products
The most widespread chain. Low prices, many promotions and own-brand products
Dixy
Similar to Pyaterochka, also with many promotions
Similar to Pyaterochka, also with many promotions
Magnit
Many products under their own brands, often good discounts on staple foods
Many products under their own brands, often good discounts on staple foods
Mid-Price Segment:
Perekrestok
Good value for money. Wide assortment, including ready-made food from their own bakery and deli
Good value for money. Wide assortment, including ready-made food from their own bakery and deli
VkusVill
A chain specializing in natural and healthy products. Lots of ready-made meals, smoothies, and healthy snacks
A chain specializing in natural and healthy products. Lots of ready-made meals, smoothies, and healthy snacks
SPAR(SPAR)
A chain with an international background. Not as many stores, but they can be found both in the center and in residential areas
A chain with an international background. Not as many stores, but they can be found both in the center and in residential areas
Premium Class:
Azbuka Vkusa
High-quality products and prepared foods. Prices are high, and there are unique products
High-quality products and prepared foods. Prices are high, and there are unique products
Bakhetle
A wide selection of delicatessen and ready-made dishes. Prices are above average. A significantly larger selection of products for Muslims compared to regular supermarkets
A wide selection of delicatessen and ready-made dishes. Prices are above average. A significantly larger selection of products for Muslims compared to regular supermarkets
Hypermarkets (Large-Scale Stores):
Lenta, Auchan
very large stores, usually located outside the city center. People go there to buy groceries and household goods for the whole week. Prices are economy or mid-range
very large stores, usually located outside the city center. People go there to buy groceries and household goods for the whole week. Prices are economy or mid-range
Important to Know About Supermarkets
Payment
You can pay with a card from the Russian payment system MIR, other cards (Visa, Mastercard), or in cash
Bags
Free plastic bags at the checkout are not always available. You can buy them, but it's better to bring your own reusable bag— it's more ecological and cheaper
Loyalty Cards
We recommend getting a loyalty card for the chains you visit most often. It provides access to special prices and allows you to accumulate bonuses for future purchases
Shopping Malls (Malls)
Shopping centers in Moscow are not just for shopping; they are also places for leisure. You can find cinemas, food courts, cafes, and even ice rinks there
Popular Shopping Malls:
Aviapark(CSKA/Aeroport metro) — one of the largest shopping malls in Europe with a huge selection of stores and a multi-story round aquarium in the center
Afimall City (Vystavochnaya/Delovoy Tsentr metro) — a large mall next to the famous Moscow-City skyscrapers
Evropeisky (Kiyevskaya metro) — one of the first malls in Moscow
Okhotny Ryad (Okhotny Ryad metro) — an underground complex on Manezhnaya Square, right next to the Kremlin
Tsvetnoy (Tsvetnoy Bulvar metro) — a more compact mall with sections dedicated to Russian designers
Almost every metro station has at least one small shopping center
Useful Tips and Vocabulary
Opening Hours:
- Large supermarkets: open from 7-9 AM until 10-11 PM. Some are open 24/7
- Shopping malls: usually open from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Sales and Discounts:
- Always pay attention to red and yellow price tags — these indicate items on sale
- Ask about loyalty programs (bonus cards) to get discounts
Samples:
- In cosmetics stores (e.g., "Zolotoye Yabloko," "Rive Gauche," "L'Etoile") you can always ask for a sample ("probnik" or "tester") of a cream or perfume you like to try at home
Mini-Dictionary for Shopping
| English | Русский |
|---|---|
| Shop | Магазин |
| Supermarket | Супермаркет |
| Shopping mall | Торговый центр (ТЦ) |
| Price | Цена |
| Discount | Скидка |
| Sale / Promotion | Акция |
| English | Русский |
|---|---|
| Fitting room | Примерочная |
| Checkout / Cash register | Касса |
| Payment by card | Оплата картой |
| Payment in cash | Оплата наличными |
| Thank you | Спасибо |
