Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
15
Shopping in
St. Petersburg
Shopping in St. Petersburg can
produce precious porcelain or a bag full of
cheap lacquer boxes, depending on your
energy level, resourcefulness, and pocket-
book. The
matryoshka
nesting dolls are so
plentiful and ubiquitous that you proba-
bly won't be able to leave without one. For
more original ware, visit Lomonosov Por-
celain Factory, which has a museum and
shop featuring imperial china patterns.
Soviet banners and Red Army gear are a
draw for some, though Moscow features
more of a selection, since St. Petersburg
prefers to emphasize its royal heritage
rather than its Soviet past. Amber from the
Baltic region is a bargain compared to
what you'd pay anywhere else, and the
selection is much broader. St. Petersburg is
fast on its way to competing with Moscow
as a luxury shopping capital, with plenty
of French, Italian, and local haute couture
aimed at the nouveau riche. The city's
dearth of multinational retail chains is
likely to change in the coming years, for
better or for worse. Tips on purchasing
traditional Russian gifts are outlined
below; for more on Orthodox icons,
matryoshka
dolls, Russian linen, and the
porcelain style known as Gzhel, see
chapter 8.
1
THE SHOPPING SCENE
The chief challenge in finding unique souvenirs and gifts in Russia is in determining
whether you're allowed to bring them home. See “Entry Requirements” in chapter 3 for
an explanation of the export regulations of Russia's Culture Ministry, which affect Ortho-
dox icons, samovars, and many artworks.
Hotel gift shops and the souvenir stands on Nevsky have higher prices than elsewhere.
The outdoor markets are a better bet, such as the one across from the Church of the
Savior on the Spilled Blood (see “Vernisazh” later in this chapter). Be ready to bargain,
and beware of counterfeiting. If something sounds suspiciously cheap, there's a reason.
The monasteries and cathedrals have the richest selection of icons.
Several of the city's souvenir stores are grouped under one umbrella, with fairly stan-
dard and relatively high prices. Still, their selection beats most others around, and quality
is guaranteed. You can see a sampling of their wares (and even make purchases) online at
www.souvenirboutique.com, but the selection and price range is much broader in the
stores. Two of the group's stores,
Babushka
and
Katarina,
are listed below. Another,
Onegin, is widely advertised in St. Petersburg but has higher prices for the same goods.
St. Petersburg has no sales tax, but be clear with the vendor about what currency is
being cited. In shops most prices will be printed in rubles. Street vendors will sometimes
cite in dollars or euros, though they're technically forbidden from accepting anything but
rubles. VAT is always included in the price, but it is not refundable at the border as it is
in some European countries.
