Russian shoppers back in Finland
A stronger exchange rate for the ruble has brought more Russian customers back to shops in Finland. Some local retailers have reported a sharp rise in sales in recent weeks.
The fall in the exchange rate of the euro against the Russian roble has been a welcome change for retailers in the south-eastern border area of Finland. Sales at the Laplandia supermarket close by the Nuijamaa border crossing point are nearly as brisk as they were last autumn, Yle writes.
According to local shop owners, sales have grown 15 to 20 percent during the last month.
The number of Russians coming to Finland to shop fell dramatically late last year along with a plunge in the exchange rate of the ruble. Now, just as suddenly numbers are rising as the ruble regains ground. Shopping in Finland is becoming more attractive also because a sharp rise in inflation is pushing up prices in Russia. The embargo on Finnish foodstuffs has also made many products unavailable for Russians at home.
