In The Shops

There is huge number of shops in St-Petersburg. Probably you will visit only the biggest, that are located in the center of the city.

Most shops accept only Rubles and credit cards. Only a few shops are allowed to accept US Dollars. So get ready to pay in Rubles (or credit card).

Almost all shops are opened daily and do not have lunch break. Usually food shops open at 9:00am or 10:00am. Other shops opens at 10:00am or 11:00am. Most shops finish working at 8:00pm (20:00). Big central shops and superstores may work till 10:00pm (22:00) and they are opened on holidays as a rule. Before holidays shops usually closes one hour earlier then usually (but not all). The real holiday, when a lot of shops (but not all, anyway) is closed, is January 1-st (New Year).

There is a lot of shops, working 24 hours a day. The products in such shops are usually about 10% more expensive, but they are always opened.

Even if you come to a big or expensive store do not expect courteous attitude from the salespersons. You ask: "Why?". Actually, there are several reasons:

• The salary of salespersons is low. Even in the expensive stores.
• It looks like their salary does not depend on the number of products they sell.
• To become a salesperson, you do not need any special education.
• Maybe, the owners of some stores do not understand that good attitude of salespersons is very important.

If you buy closes, remember that you, probably, will be unable to return it to the shop if it will not fit you (or somebody for who you buy it).

Best before (in Russian)

All food products must have "best before" date, but on some products the date of manufacture and serviceable life are written.

Usually after each purchase you are given a bill (receipt). In most shops the cashier or salesperson half tear it. It means that it is paid. But it is not necessary. Keep the bill. You will be unable to advance a claim without the bill. Bills appearance varies from shop to shop. Usually it is printed by cash register on a narrow strap of thick paper. According to the law, any store must provide a bill for any purchase. If you buy something expensive, and they do not give you the bill, demand it.

Usually price for any products is shown in Rubles and kopeks, but in some shops the prices are shown in "conventional units" (in Russian it is marked "y.e."). One conventional unit is usually equals to one US Dollar or one Euro. But it does not mean, you can pay in foreign currency — most of these shops accept only Rubles.

The prices, written on the products in the shops, include all possible taxes.

Now you can see a lot of Chinese products in most of the shops. Be careful, buying them. Far from all those products are of good quality. Actually, among Russians it is considered that Chinese products are of very low quality and most people avoid to by or use them. The exception may be the equipment of world known brands (Sony, Panasonic etc.), even if it is made in China. The most respectable products are made in Finland, German, US, UK, Japan, France.