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Shopping in Moscow

Since the demise of communism, well-heeled Muscovites have relished the opportunity to shop and, for those with enough roubles, conspicuous consumption has been the order of the day. As a result, Moscow is now one of the most brand-obsessed cities in the world.

Key areas: 

Tverskaya ulitsa, north of Red Square, is Moscow's most fashionable shopping street with numerous highly expensive boutiques. Most tourist-oriented gift stores tend to be concentrated on touristy ulitsa Arbat.

Markets: 

Cheremushinsky Rynok, on Lomonovksy prospect, has fresh produce from all corners of the former Soviet Union. The market is open Monday to Saturday 0700-1900 and Sunday 0700-1700. In tourist areas, stalls sell fur hats, hammer-and-sickle souvenir T-shirts and the ubiquitous matrioshka dolls.

Shopping centres: 

GUM (Gosudarstvenny Universalny Magazin), formerly a grand 19th-century department store on Red Square, is cram-full of expensive boutiques selling Hugo Boss, Dior, Calvin Klein and the like.

Eliseev Gastronome, at 14 Tverskaya, is worth a visit even if you are not buying. Built in the 1880s as a nobleman's palace, it still retains its original marble pillars, mahogany shelving and candelabras. It is now owned by an upmarket supermarket chain.

Opening hours: 

Shopping hours in Moscow are generally Monday to Saturday 0900-1800. Some larger stores open from 1000-2000.

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