Support The Moscow Times!

Demand High for Moscow Retail Space

Rental prices for prime retail space in Moscow can in practice be twice as high as the advertised price because of stiff competition, according to analysts at Magazan.ru.

In addition, rental rates vary greatly depending on the type of business occupying a space.

Elite jewelry stores, as well as those selling accessories, pay the most for their premises. They are located, as a rule, only on major shopping streets with at least 2,000 people passing by per hour in the evening and they require large show windows and high ceilings. Real prices for such premises range from $2,000 to $7,000 per square meter per year.

Banks, which occupy 10 percent to 11 percent of street-level retail space, pay the second highest rates. They require at least 1,000 square meters of space to accommodate at least 1,000 clients per day and pay $1,500 to $3,000 per square meter.

Eateries pay between $700 and $1,500 per square meter when they occupy their own premises. This is significantly higher than cafes pay inside shopping centers. A large area and a location near major business centers or other districts with a high concentration of potential customers are key considerations for selecting a space for this sector, which is expanding rapidly in Moscow.

Clothing and shoe stores, which pay between $1,000 and $3,000 per square meter, have similar requirements for location, since much of their business is dependent on impulse buying.

Demand exceeds supply in the market for beauty salon premises because of the special requirements for additional sinks and sanitary standards set by the government. The space costs between $800 and $1,500 per square meter, and rental agreements are usually long-term.

Sign up for our free weekly newsletter

Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysis and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview
Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy

A Message from The Moscow Times:

Dear readers,

We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."

These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.

We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.

Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.

By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.

Once
Monthly
Annual
Continue
paiment methods
Not ready to support today?
Remind me later.

Read more