Podruzhka, whose name means Girlfriend, is a Russian drugstore chain for cosmetics, perfume, hygiene products and household chemicals, and this guide to Podruzhka Moscow explains what it offers and what could not be confirmed. The chain operates in a lower price segment than the perfumery chain L’Etoile, and since 2022 it has been owned by the operator of L’Etoile.
At the time of its acquisition, the chain had more than 250 stores in Moscow, the Moscow region and Saint Petersburg, according to older reports. No recent confirmation of the current store list was found, so travelers should check that a store is open and under which name before making a trip. The sections below cover the range, payment and practical tips.
Quick Facts
| Russian name | Подружка |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | Hours vary by store and were not verified; check the store locator on the official site before visiting (as of October 2026 – check the official site). |
| Best time to visit | Weekday afternoons are usually calmer than evenings, and hours vary by store, so check the closing time before you go. |
| Recommended duration | 10–20 minutes |
| Website | podrygka.ru |
| Last updated | October 9, 2026 |
Why Visit Podruzhka?
Podruzhka is a convenient place for everyday toiletries and budget cosmetics: the chain sells cosmetics, perfume, hygiene products and household chemicals, usually at lower prices than a premium perfumery. It is aimed at residents of ordinary districts and can be useful when staying in an apartment outside the center.
It is not a place for luxury perfume, for which L’Etoile and Golden Apple are better choices. The store list and the brand name may be changing after the acquisition, so check the official site, podrygka.ru, for current stores. A visit takes only a few minutes.
Highlights of Podruzhka
Everyday cosmetics at budget prices
The chain sells mass-market cosmetics, skincare and hygiene products at low prices, according to company descriptions. Look for the shelf signs by category. Check the label for the size and the ingredients.
Tip: Use a translation app on the labels.
Household chemicals
Cleaning products, laundry goods and other household chemicals are part of the range. Check the packaging for the type of product before buying.
Tip: Buy small packs for a short stay.
Perfume and gift sets
The stores sell perfume and gift sets in the mass-market range. Check whether a set is a single product or several items.
Tip: Ask for a tester where available.
A sister chain of L'Etoile
Podruzhka has been owned by the operator of L'Etoile since 2022 and aims at a lower price tier than L'Etoile. See the L'Etoile guide for the premium chain. Check the price level of both before buying.
Tip: Compare the same product in both chains.
The online store podrygka.ru
The official site offers cosmetics and household goods with delivery to stores in your city, but it is in Russian and normally needs a Russian phone number. Check whether you can use it.
Tip: Plan to shop in a store rather than ordering online.
Checking that a store is open
Because no recent confirmation of the store list was found, look up the store on the official locator or a map app before traveling. Check the opening hours there.
Tip: Search under the name Podruzhka and its Russian spelling.
Atmosphere
A Podruzhka store is a compact, brightly lit drugstore with narrow aisles, shelves of boxes and bottles in strong colors and a single till near the entrance. The sounds are store music and the scanner, and the customers are mostly neighbors buying toiletries.
Signs and labels are in Russian, and staff speak little English, so a translation app helps.
History of Podruzhka
The Podruzhka chain, whose operator is Taber Trade, grew as a drugstore network in the lower price segment. In October 2019 reports said that the L’Etoile operator planned to buy the chain, which then had more than 250 stores in Moscow, the Moscow region and Saint Petersburg, and the antimonopoly service received the application. The operator closed a deal for 90 percent of the company, and the remaining shares were consolidated in August 2022, according to Interfax.
Since then the chain has been owned by L’Etoile’s operator, Alkor i Ko, and a business profile describes a network of about 600 stores and combined revenue with L’Etoile for 2024.
Dates differ between sources, the current number of stores should be checked on the official site, and this history is shorter than requested because few facts could be verified.
Tickets and Booking for Podruzhka
Payment. Cash in rubles is the most reliable way to pay. Foreign Visa or Mastercard cards should not be assumed to work; local payment methods are used by residents, and your country’s sanctions rules may restrict some payment services, so check this yourself.
Checkout and bags. Stores have staffed tills; self-checkout was not verified. Bags are usually sold at the till.
Finding stores. Use the store locator on the official site podrygka.ru or a map app, and confirm that the store is open, since no recent store list was verified.
How to Get to Podruzhka
Stores are spread across Moscow, mostly in residential districts, so there is no single route. A map app and the store locator on the official site show the nearest open store.
- By Metro: check the store page for the nearest station.
- By taxi: use the address from the store locator.
Accessibility
Accessibility varies by store; step-free entrances were not verified for individual stores, so check the details or ask staff.
Food Nearby
Stores are often near food shops and cafes in residential streets; the exact venues were not verified.
What to Bring
Bring cash in rubles, a translation app for the labels and a bag for purchases.
Photography Rules
Rules for photography in stores were not verified; it is polite to ask staff before photographing shelves or customers.
Family Suitability
Suitable for a short stop to buy toiletries; aisles are narrow, and stroller access was not verified for individual stores.
Moscow Vibes Tips
- Check on a map app or the official locator that a store is open before traveling.
- Compare the same product in Podruzhka and L'Etoile for price.
- Use a translation app on the labels of toiletries and cleaning products.
- Buy small packs for a short stay.
- Choose a specialist chain for luxury perfume.
- Search for the store under both the Latin and Russian spelling of the name.
Where to Find Podruzhka in Moscow
Podruzhka has branches across the city, so there is no single address to list. To find the closest one, search on Yandex Maps or Google Maps from your hotel or metro station.
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FAQ: Podruzhka
What is Podruzhka?
A Russian drugstore chain for budget cosmetics, perfume, hygiene products and household chemicals.
Who owns it?
The operator of the L'Etoile chain, Alkor i Ko, since 2022.
Is it still open in Moscow?
No recent confirmation was found, so check the store on the official site.
Can I pay with a foreign card?
Acceptance of foreign cards cannot be assumed; carry cash in rubles, and check your own country's sanctions rules, which may restrict some payment services.
Is it cheaper than L'Etoile?
It is described as a lower price segment.
Can I buy perfume there?
Mostly mass-market perfume; specialist chains offer a wider range.
Do staff speak English?
Not reliably; a translation app helps.
Where can I find a store?
On the official site podrygka.ru or a map app.
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Last updated: October 9, 2026. Found an error or something out of date? Report it and we will check and fix it.
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About this guide: AI assistance and accuracy
This guide is created with the help of AI and is based on official sources where available. Mistakes can still happen. Opening hours, prices, rules and other details are given to the best of our knowledge as of the date shown and can change without notice. It offers general recommendations only, not professional, legal or travel advice. Please confirm important details with the official source before you travel; you are responsible for your own plans and decisions.
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