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Excellent range of CDs, DVDs and computer games, and the added novelty of being able to handle the goods yourself (albeit while being watched by about 14 security guards at one time).
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Anglia Books
The city's only English-language bookshop has a large selection of contemporary literature, history and travel writing. It also hosts small art and photography displays, organises book readings and generally is a cornerstone of expat life in St Petersburg.
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Art Re.Flex
This contemporary gallery is unique in that it showcases artists of all ages, genres and experience levels. So its exhibitions mix the work of up-and-coming artists with more established masters, including painting, graphics and sculpture, in an attempt to highlight the most interesting trends in contemporary art.
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Bee-Keeping
Step into this sweet shop and you won't be able to resist taking home some honey to your honey (or for yourself). You can sample many different flavours of honey from all over Russia, and there are also natural remedies, creams and teas made from beeswax and pollen. If you are so inspired, you can also buy the necessary equipment to set up your own pchelovodstvo .
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Bon Vin
With low ceilings and exposed brick, this little wine cellar is an atmospheric place to pick out a bon vin . There is no shortage of grands crus and pricey reserves if you are shopping for a special occasion, but head to the sale rack in the centre of the store for excellent French, Spanish and Italian wines that you can afford to drink everyday. There is another outlet in Smolny and one on the Petrograd Side.
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Borey Art Centre
There is never a dull moment at this underground (in both senses of the word) art gallery. In the front room, you'll see some fairly mainstream stuff for sale, but the back rooms always house creative and cutting-edge exhibitions by local artists. The bookshop is one of the best in town for books on art and architecture.
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Bukvoed
These bookshops are popping up all over St Petersburg. This is one of the smaller outlets, but it is centrally located and it carries a good selection of maps, art books, posters, calendars and postcards, as well as a smaller selection of English-language literature.
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Canali
Look no further for your super smooth Italian shirts and suits. Canali dresses some of the most dapper men about town and its luxurious Nevsky premises just a short stroll from the Winter Palace is suitably beautiful.
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Chocolate Museum - Bezymyanny
The name is something of a misnomer, as this is a shop and the aim of its displays are to make you salivate and get your cash out. The amazing chocolate designs (including a bust of Lenin in white chocolate) are worth a look, although only employing black doormen (geddit?!) is a typically Russian idea of humour that will misfire with most Westerners.
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Chocolate Museum - City Centre
Despite the misnomer, this place is not a museum. While you are welcome to come inside to peruse the artistic pieces, it is unlikely you will leave without procuring your very own chocolate chess set or chocolate 'Fabergé' egg. This outlet is in the basement of the Stroganov Palace, but there are others inside Gostiny Dvor and Passage . So rest assured, you'll have no trouble finding that chocolate bust of Vladimir Ilych.
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Defile
If you are into fashion and you are in search of a uniquely Russian souvenir, this sweet boutique is the place to come. Owned by designer Lilia Kisselenko, of Kisselenko Fashion Salon, Defile carries elegant and eclectic clothing and accessories - almost exclusively by Russian designers. This shop also hosts the biannual fashion event, Defile on the Neva.
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Dom Knigi
The stalwart of the city's bookshops is Dom Knigi, housed in the wonderful, whimsical Singer Building. For years, this was the only place in the city that carried a decent selection of literature, and it is still an inviting place to browse. On the 1st floor, you'll find lots of souvenir-type coffee-table books with colourful pictures, and - bonus - free internet access.
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Eliseevsky
How many supermarkets can boast being mentioned in Anna Karenina ? This luxury food store is a stunner, with 20m ceilings, huge windows and fin de siècle fittings. It feels a little strange to pop in for a quart of milk, but it's a fine place to shop for specialty items such as alcohol, chocolate and caviar.
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Free Arts Foundation
Often referred to simply by its address, Free Arts Foundation is gallery central as far as modern art is concerned. There are lots of different galleries, all with different opening hours spread throughout the complex, but most are open on Saturday. Sometimes the space itself and its denizens are more intriguing than the art.
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Gallery Of Dolls
Featuring ballerinas and babushkas, clowns and knights, this gallery depicts just about every fairy-tale character and political persona in the form of a doll. The highly creative figures are more like art than toys. Our personal favourite is the miniature babushka mopping the floor in the corner.
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Gostiny Dvor
One of the oldest shopping arcades in the world, Gostiny Dvor (Merchant Yard) was built in the mid-18th century. After a decade-long renovation, the exterior looks smart, while the interior retains a largely Soviet feel. On the ground floor, endless corridors of counters showcase everything from stereos to souvenirs. Upstairs you will find some fancier fashion outlets, which are definitely an improvement.
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Grand Palace
For once the rather uppity title is deserved - this palatial shopping centre was created for the New Russian shopping classes, who expect nothing less than grand and glittering. The biggest names in fashion are here, including Max Mara, Dior and Lacroix, not to mention the fanciest free toilets in the city.
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Intendant
Showcasing an enormous selection of wines from around the world, Intendant is an expensive place to shop (and not a little snooty about it). But they know their stuff. So if you're in the market for a full-bodied Bordeaux or a peppery Pinot, this upscale vintner will not disappoint.
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Kailas
Principally a music shop, Kailas has an impressive selection of contemporary and classical music from around the world. The selection covers all genres, although the specialities seem to be classical, jazz, indie-Russian and 'ethnic' music. Oddly enough, the store also has an 'Eastern department', which sells incense, jewellery and clothing from the exotic East.
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Kisselenko Fashion Salon
Designer Lilia Kisselenko uses sublimely simple fabrics to create women's clothing that is at once linear and flatteringly feminine. This is a name to watch out for - she's not quite flashy enough to appeal to the New Russian nouveau riche (who don't care for Russian products anyway), but rather caters to connoisseurs with a discerning eye and upper-class fashion sensibility. If you like this place, check out Kisselenko's other boutique, Defile.
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Kosher Shop
Serving St Petersburg's Jewish community, the Kosher Shop is conveniently located next to the Grand Choral Synagogue. Although its emphasis is on kosher food, the shop also sells books about Judaism in many languages, Jewish music and art.
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Kuznechy Market
The colours and atmosphere of the city's largest fruit and vegetable market are quite the sensory experience. And the vendors - mostly from the Caucasus and Central Asia - will ply you with free samples of fresh fruits, homemade smetana (sour cream) and sweet honey.
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La Russe
Lots of rustic old whatnots and genuine antiques are piled into this quirky arty antique store. You might unearth anything from a battered old samovar to an intricately painted sleigh. Enquire about occasional excursions into the countryside, where most of these items are procured.
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Lend
This is the best supermarket in the city centre, located under the giant Vladimirsky Passage shopping centre. You can get everything from fresh pasta and Italian pesto to a reasonably priced bottle of Sancerre. There's also sushi available, not to mention an aquarium full of perch and pike waiting to be someone's supper.
