Friends, we are starting a new segment - a price review in Russia. Once a month, we have to ask a friend to go to the store for a price check.
Welcome back to our monthly exploration of costs at the O'Key hypermarket near Ladozhskaya station in Saint Petersburg. This April 2025 visit begins with a look at currency exchange. The US dollar slightly weakened against the ruble compared to March, selling at 88.80, while the Euro also dipped marginally to 99.40. This offered a glimmer of hope that perhaps grocery bills wouldn't climb this month. Let's venture inside to see if product costs followed the currency trend or continued their usual upward path. Our investigation covers essentials and popular items throughout the store.
Initial Discoveries
Seasonal goods marked the entrance. Sunglasses appeared at 399 rubles. Gardening supplies varied widely; basic carrot seeds were 24 rubles, while lupine seeds reached 45 rubles. Cucumber fertilizer seemed steep at 190 rubles for a small pack. A simple plastic watering can demanded 340 rubles. Outdoor living items included a garden pavilion discounted significantly to 22,000 rubles and a thin metal brazier priced at 7,600 rubles. An autumn jacket caught the eye but carried a surprisingly high 7,600 ruble price tag, seeming quite expensive for the season.
Personal Care Check
Moving to the personal care aisle, stability was somewhat evident. Old Spice deodorant held steady at 330 rubles. Gillette shaving foam remained 250 rubles. High-end Biorepair toothpaste stayed at 1,020 rubles, and Garnier face cream kept its 500 ruble price, though a past sale price of 108 rubles was recalled. However, basic tar soap saw an increase, now almost 64 rubles, up from 55 rubles previously. Colgate toothpaste showed a temporary sale price reduction to 180 rubles, though its regular price climbed to 300 rubles.
Grocery Staples Fluctuate
The grocery section presented a mixed picture. Sunflower oil (Sloboda brand) rose to 150 rubles from 135. Conversely, Predportovaya flour (2kg) dropped to 105 rubles from 140. Sugar experienced a shocking surge, jumping to 90 rubles per kilogram from just 60 rubles the month before. Cheaper Monastyrsky oatmeal increased to 98 rubles from 70, while premium Myllyn Paras oatmeal pricing was unchanged at 160 rubles. Barilla pasta climbed to 119 rubles from 90, yet the store's own brand pasta spirals fell slightly to 23 rubles.
Produce Prices A Mixed Bag
The fruit and vegetable department offered varied results, despite seasonal expectations for lower costs. Bananas decreased to 130 rubles per kilogram, though appearing unripe. Oranges were cheaper at 90 rubles per kilogram. Kiwis also saw a price reduction to 230 rubles. However, pineapples soared to 400 rubles per kilogram, up from 250. Basic cucumbers dipped slightly to 190 rubles, while gherkins fell notably to 300 rubles. Tomatoes edged up to 210 rubles for the cheapest variety. Apples showed price drops for different types.
Dairy Disappointments and Other Observations
Dairy products mostly trended upwards. Standard milk increased to 120 rubles from 100. Some sour cream brands showed reductions, while tvorog prices were mixed. Butter brands exhibited shrinkflation alongside price adjustments. The cheapest eggs remained stable at 65 rubles per dozen, while premium eggs decreased slightly on sale. Coffee prices rose despite the weaker dollar. Fish saw some price drops, but red caviar became even dearer. Alarmingly, potatoes doubled in price to 120 rubles per kilogram for the basic variety, with limited selection available. Coca-Cola was mostly absent, replaced by local alternatives and expensive imports.
