Ravilya Kadyrova
Ashgabat, 15 September 2015 (nCa) — Every year some new shopping malls and markets appear in Ashgabat, adding to the options presented to the consumers.
The breadth of choice available today is a great success story in itself. This is a measure of the growing buying power of the consumers.
One of the largest markets in Ashgabat is the ‘15 ýyl Garaşsyzlygyna’ [15 years of independence], located at Oguzkhan str., (former Aytakov str.). It is better known by its former name – ‘Optowa.’
Some of the shops in this market specialize in niche segments:
Jewelry: Fine jewelry from Turkish and Armenian producers can be found in “Karat” store (3rd floor, shop # 373, tel. 30-47-73, 72-26-01, www.karat.tm).
Turkmen national dresses and handmade souvenirs: The shoppers, especially foreign visitors, display keen interest in the goods sold in this store, particularly the Turkmen national dresses and hand-made souvenirs. (3rd floor, shop # 352, Tel. +99365 667874).
Latvian cosmetics: Widely known in Turkmenistan from the Soviet era high-quality bio-cosmetics of Latvian brand «Dzintars» can be purchased in the store of official distributor, located in the basement of the shopping center (shop # 69, tel. +99363 881818, www.dzintars-tm.com). The shop carries a wide range of perfumery, several lines of special cosmetics by age, and decorative cosmetics.
Beauty products from Dead Sea minerals: The store ‘IsrailCosmeticsTm’ sells beauty aids, based on the Dead Sea minerals from leading Israeli manufacturers, such as “GiGi”, “Aroma”, “Alocado”, “Dr.Sea” and others. Store address: 1st floor, shop # 146, www.israelcosmeticstm.com.
Sausages, Salamis, other meat products: There is the chain store of ‘Bereketli’ company in shopping center. Its is well known brand, producing sausage and meat delicatessen. (1st floor, shop # 150, tel: + 99363 630935).
There is also chain store of ‘Merdana’ company on the 1st floor, offers wide range of meat products and sausage goods. (shop # 77).
Spices and condiments: Newly opened spices store # 42 (1st floor) is able to satisfy the need of spices and condiments, many of them not available elsewhere in Ashgabat.
Confectionery from Kazakhstan: The products of popular Kazakh confectionery factory ‘Rahat’ are in great demand in the Turkmen market. The store # 118 (1st floor) sells ‘Rahat’ confectionery products for any taste.
Ravilya Kadyrova is the deputy editor of nCa