Shopping for domestic appliances proves quite easy in Kyiv
When programs on your old TV start looking like abstract art, your refrigerator sounds like its regurgitating your groceries, and your washing machine goes on strike, it’s high time for you to replace your domestic appliances. Luckily, there are plenty of electronics supermarkets in Kyiv, offering a wide selection of high-tech goods, and shop assistants are ready to help you find whatever you may need. Recently I found myself in need of a new TV – my old Soviet Electron had served me faithfully for many years, until finally it gave out a few days ago, and my attempt to watch TV through a computer monitor with a built-in TV tuner didn’t work out that well. So I set out on a quest, to search all the best electronics supermarkets and find the one with the most unbeatable offers.
My first stop was Domotekhnika – an electronic chain that was founded in 1995 and now counts 23 stores in 12 Ukraine cities. Their assortment of goods consists of more than 20,000 items and includes household appliances, audio and video equipment, office equipment, hi-fi stereos and computers. The company also publishes a monthly bulletin advertising its newest goods and the supermarket’s assortment in general. Domotekhnika owns a plant called Plazma, where it manufactures brand-name electronics goods by companies like Panasonic, JVC, LG, Sony. I can’t say I really trust the TVs assembled in Ukraine.
So I decided to continue my search at Mega-Max. It’s another big chain with 27 shops all over Ukraine. The assortment at Mega-Max is just slightly smaller and includes home appliances, audio and video equipment. The company offers credit, goods delivery and installation. It also has a special department where you can buy discounted items, which are scratched or irregular, but nevertheless function. However, the creation of such a department suggests that the company may have problems with its delivery service, which would explain why they have so much damaged merchandise.
I’ve heard a lot about City.com, so I decided to check it out. City.com is the youngest electronics supermarket chain in Ukraine, established in 2004, but it already boasts 11 shops in nine cities. The assortment of goods counts about 15,000 items and includes photo, audio, video and hi-fi equipment, computers, electronics for automobiles, and even furniture. City.com has a delivery service (free in Kyiv) and gives credit. You can also buy any of the store’s merchandise on its website and order a delivery to one of 41 cities in Ukraine. Unfortunately, the company doesn’t stock home appliances such as washing machines or microwaves. It also has only three supermarkets in Kyiv, which are situated rather far from the city center.
The next option I searched was Foxtrot. The company was established in 1994 and is considered to be a leader on the Ukrainian electronics market with 174 shops and supermarkets in 85 Ukrainian regional centers. The company deals in home appliances, offices supplies, computers, audio, video, photo, and hi-fi equipment, and climate control equipment. Kyiv’s Foxtrot chain counts 14 shops and supermarkets situated all over the city. Also, Foxtrot was awarded the “Vybir Roku” (The Choice of the Year) award four times.
The last supermarket on my list was Eldorado. The head office of the company is based in Russia and the chain counts more than 1,000 shops and supermarkets all over Russia and Eastern Europe, 12 of which are situated in Kyiv. The company offers a wide assortment of all the electronics goods you could need, and even musical instruments (synthesizers) and game consoles. Eldorado’s website offers some interesting gift ideas of items sold at their stores, such as mp3-players or mobile phones. With such a large selection, number of shops and quality of goods offered, Eldorado easily won the Best of title.
Eldorado (19A Khreshchatyk, 118 Chervonoarmiyska, 23 Moskovskiy Prospect). www.eldorado.ru
