Description

This is one of the biggest shopping centres in Moscow, and up to 1922, it was known as 'Muir and Merilis' – two Scottish men who set up a trading company here in the late XIX century. Elderly Muscovites will still use this name in preference to the original.

In 1900, a big fire occurred in the department store when the great Shaliapin was singing in the Bol'shoi Theater next door. A new five-storied building in varied style was constructed and opened in 1908 (the project by famous architect Klein). At that time, it was the best-equipped store in Moscow, and customers were especially enthusiastic about electrically-powered lifts. Now of course there are escalators as well!

The fame of the Moscow shop spread throughout Russia. Muir and Meriliz distributed its catalog free of charge, and anyone in the country, from Warsaw to Vladivstok could order their goods by post. Since then, this quality of service has never been achieved up to the present day in Russia.

TsUM was not very popular in the Soviet times due to a smaller selection of goods compared with its counterpart GUM. Now it has lost most of its fame for buying, but is still quite crowded because of the central location. In the 285 separate departments, they sell all kinds of clothes and shoes, haberdashery, jewelry, rugs from Asian countries, China, toys, kitchen utensils, and electric appliances. Russian goods account for a smaller proportion in each section. Prices are fairly high and credit card acceptance varies.