You know what they listed in this week's Element that had me nodding my head like those dopey dogs placed in the back of cars - the seven best Russian products. I guess you can count more than seven, but this is one of those features in Element that I really like and get a crack out of. The seven are:
- Tinkoff beer - With plenty of brands competing on the Russian beer market this one keeps the title of the country’s only premium option. Not too long ago, finding bottles of Tinkoff was a problem but since the opening of their St. Petersburg plant, you can find Tinkoff in about every supermarket. At the moment seven different brews are available.
- J7 juice - Back in the early ‘90s, J7 shocked the market as juice in square carton was something exotic for post-perestroika Russia where people were used to three-liter glass bottles. Since that time, Wimm Bill Dann, Russia’s revolutionary product manufacturer, has launched many other brands but J7 still dominates their other offerings.
- Red October chocolate - Foreign chocolate producers pour millions of dollars every year into ad campaigns but still have not been able to win Russians’ hearts back from Red October chocolates. To try some of finest offerings visit one of the factory stores that Red October has around Moscow. Here they guarantee the freshness and quality of their delicious products.
- Chistaya Liniya cosmetics - The Russian cosmetics industry is probably one of the most developed in the country, which means that it also must fight off tough competition from western brands. Kalina’s Chistaya Liniya manages to stand out in the crowd. Excellent quality, natural ingredients and low prices contribute to the brand’s continued popularity.
- Flagman vodka - There are plenty of decent quality home-grown contenders competing for the tipplers of this most famous of Russian drinks. But we would like to highlight Flagman produced by RVVK. In less then 10 years the company has built a strong recognizable brand. Flagman has soft smooth taste and is affordably priced.
- Vassa clothing - There are plenty of Russian designers flitting around but Yelena Vassa is the only one who has managed to establish steady, high-volume production and who has opened a bunch of stores around country. Simple lines in combination with natural fabrics are key factors to the overwhelming success of Vassa clothing.
- Kristallin mineral water - Evian and Vittel have a serious competitor though with a very modest PR budget. The fact that the market is not yet taken by this drinking water can only be explained by its general lack of advertising. Great taste comes at a ridiculously low price. Carbonated water is also available.
