ShareFontanka compared prices for household chemicals, care and hygiene products in Russia and Finland. Experts answered the question “why is it so expensive here?”
Prices for popular non-food products in Russia have jumped by 25–40 %, according to the materials of Rosstat, published on July 20. For example, toilet soap increased in price by 39,9 %washing powders – on 27,3 %toothpaste – on 32,8 %shampoos – on 31,1 %sanitary pads – on 40,5 %. The reopening of borders and the resumption of tours “for the Fairy” made consumers wonder “why it’s cheaper there.”
To compare prices, we chose the Finnish site Prisma and the prices and online catalog of domestic retailers Okay and Lenta (for the latter, we looked at the price on the map). And the rate was recalculated at the cost of the European currency in exchange offices – 67 rubles. for the euro on July 21. Some products of transnational brands are still cheaper in Russian stores. We show with examples.
Colgate toothpaste in a 100 ml tube costs 204.99 rubles in Lenta, and 254 rubles in Okee. China is listed as the manufacturer. The closest equivalent in a Finnish store of the same size costs 1.49 euros, that is, regarding 100 rubles. The difference is 2–2.5 times.
A bar of Palmolive soap 90 g with olive extract in Okee costs 74.5 rubles. a piece. In Lenta, a set of four costs 229.99 rubles. (i.e. 57.5 rubles apiece). Production – Turkey. A Finnish retailer offers the same soap made in Italy for 0.69 euros (42.6 rubles). Difference – 75 % and 35 %.
A set of four German-made Gillette Fusion5 shaving cartridges in Lenta costs 1849.99 rubles, in Okee – 1699 rubles. In Suomi stores, it can be purchased for 16.90 euros (1123 rubles). Difference – 65 % and 51 %.
Rexona women’s roll-on deodorant 50 ml, released in Russia, costs 149.99 rubles in Lenta, 188.99 rubles in Okee. In Finland, the same British-made deodorant is sold for 1.98 euros (132.7 rubles). Difference – 13 % and 42 %.
Cheaper to buy in a neighboring country and feminine hygiene products. A package of Tampax Pearl Compak Regular tampons, made in Hungary, costs 500.49 rubles in Lenta. for 16 pieces. The same pack in “Okey” – 449 rubles. But in Finland, the same product is offered at a price of 4.49 euros (300.8 rubles), and in a pack there are not 16, but 18 pieces. The difference in terms of a unit of goods is one and a half to two times.
But washing your hair in Russia and Finland costs regarding the same. Shampoo Head & Shoulders 500 ml of Russian production is sold in Lenta for 399.99 rubles, in Okee – for 399 rubles. In Suomi, the same shampoo made in France costs 5.99 euros (401 rubles).
It has become more profitable to buy household chemicals in a neighboring country once more. FINISH Quantum dishwasher detergent, made in Poland, will cost Lenta customers 1,298.99 rubles. for 70 tablets, for Okay customers – 2799 rubles, or 1999.99 for 60 tablets. In Suomi, the same remedy (though in a package of 65 tablets) costs only 7.9 euros (475 rubles). The difference is from three to 10 times in terms of one capsule!
Dishwasher capsules Fairy Platinum All in One, made in Belgium, are in Lenta RUB 2399.9 for 70 pieces, in “Okey” – 2799 rubles. for the same package. In Finland, a set of 64 capsules is priced at 10.49 euros, or 703 rubles. The difference is 3-4 times in terms of one capsule.
But the Fairy hand dishwashing detergent in Russian stores can compete with the Finnish one, at least in terms of price (we will leave the question of the quality of the composition to connoisseurs). So, in Lenta, a bottle of domestic production of 450 ml costs 119.99 rubles. In a Finnish store, the same volume, but delivered from the UK, will cost 1.79 euros (the same 119.9 rubles). True, in “Okey” it is still more expensive – 134.99 rubles.
Domestos plumbing cleaner in Russia can be found cheaper if you take large volumes. In Lenta, a 1,500 ml bottle costs 238.99 rubles; in Okee, a 500 ml bottle is offered for 177.99 rubles. In Suomi, a British-made product is sold in a volume of 750 ml and costs 2.29 euros (153 rubles).
The question of why consumer goods in Russia are many times more expensive than in a neighboring country, we addressed to experts.
- The logistics of imported goods and raw materials has become more complicated and more expensive. Due to the sanctions imposed on Russia, the routes have become much longer and more expensive. “Now logistics routes often pass through several countries, and customs duties in each of them can be added to the cost of transport,” comments Pyotr Bobrovsky, Executive Director of the Association of Manufacturers of Perfumes, Cosmetics, Household Chemicals and Hygiene Products (APPIC BH).
- Part of the chains’ inventory (or raw materials for their production in Russia) might be purchased “at the old rate.” Large retailers, as a rule, have “long contracts”, the process of changing the price is complicated. But the adjustment still goes through promotions. According to NielsenIQ, the share of promo in networks has reached records since the beginning of the year. In certain categories of household chemicals reaches 60–70 %.
- International payments have become more complicated. “It is important not only to find an opportunity to bring goods or raw materials, but also to resolve the issue of payment. The growth of bank commissions and the timing of payments is also reflected in the costs of enterprises,” notes Petr Bobrovsky.
- International suppliers include currency risks in their prices. “The current rate is anomalous. International manufacturers, as a rule, ship goods with a deferred payment and set the rate they believe in,” comments Ivan Fedyakov, General Director of INFOLine. The expert does not see discrimination here: in Finland, where everything is stable, there is no such need.
If the ruble does not start to fall, Russian consumers will resume the practice of tours “for Fairy” in order to save money and also buy goods that have disappeared from sale in Russia. This will negatively affect the Russian economy: consumers will leave money abroad, and the state will receive less taxes from business, the expert believes.
