Shopping in Russia is Incredibly Easy: Meet Ozon and Wildberries

If you’re moving to Russia or already living here, prepare to discover one of the country’s best-kept secrets that will transform your daily life: Russian online marketplaces. Forget everything you thought you knew about online shopping—Ozon and Wildberries are about to become your new best friends.

Pick-Up Points Everywhere—Literally Everywhere

Here’s something that might sound too good to be true: imagine walking out of your apartment building and finding a parcel pick-up point right around the corner. In fact, you’ll probably find several within a five-minute walk. These aren’t your typical post offices with long queues and limited hours. We’re talking about convenient collection points in shopping centers, standalone kiosks, and even tucked into residential courtyards. Major cities like Moscow and St. Petersburg have thousands of these points, and they’re spreading rapidly across the entire country.

Next-Day Delivery. For Free. Yes, Really

Order something today, pick it up tomorrow. That’s the standard, not the exception. And here’s the kicker—it’s completely free. No minimum purchase, no membership fees, no hidden charges. Whether you’re ordering a pack of batteries or a new winter coat, you’ll typically see it ready for collection within 24 hours at your nearest pick-up point.

Prefer home delivery? No problem. You can arrange for a courier to bring your order directly to your door, usually for a small fee or sometimes even free depending on the order size.

From Candy Bars to Refrigerators: They’ve Got Everything

The selection is staggering. Need groceries? Check. Electronics? Absolutely. Furniture? Of course. Books, clothes, cosmetics, pet supplies, sporting goods, kitchen appliances—if you can think of it, it’s there. Both Ozon and Wildberries stock millions of items across virtually every category imaginable.

What makes it even better is the massive selection within each category. Looking for running shoes? You won’t find 10 options—you’ll find hundreds, across every price point, style, and brand.

Real Reviews from Real People

Every product comes with ratings and detailed reviews from actual buyers. Russians take their reviews seriously, often including photos, videos, and lengthy descriptions of their experience. This means you can make informed decisions based on feedback from people who’ve already tested what you’re about to buy. No more gambling on unknown products.

Why This Matters for Expats

As a foreigner in Russia, these marketplaces are absolute game-changers. Language barriers at physical stores? Gone—most platforms have decent translation options or intuitive interfaces. Don’t know where to find specific items in your new city? Doesn’t matter—just order online. Limited time to shop because of work? Browse at midnight and collect tomorrow afternoon.

Plus, prices are often significantly lower than in physical stores, with constant sales and promotions running throughout the year.

Getting Started is Easy

Both Ozon and Wildberries have mobile apps (available in English in some sections) and user-friendly websites. Registration takes minutes, and you can pay with international cards or cash on delivery. Within days of arriving in Russia, you can have the entire country’s retail market at your fingertips.

Welcome to the future of shopping—Russian style. Your first order awaits!