What's the best way to find a book at Chitaigorie?

I recommend browsing the shelves and asking the staff for recommendations. They're always happy to help you find what you're looking for.

Can I return a book if I don't like it?

Yes, Chitaigorie has a generous return policy. Just make sure to check the return window and any conditions before making a purchase.

Do Chitaigorie stores have a loyalty program?

Yes, Chitaigorie offers a discount card with accumulating discounts. The more you shop, the more you save.

Can I order books online and have them shipped to my home?

Yes, Chitaigorie offers free shipping to a pickup point. Just select the 'order online' option and choose your preferred shipping method.

What's the best way to contact Chitaigorie customer support?

You can contact Chitaigorie customer support via phone, email, or in-person at one of their stores. They're always happy to help.

Does Chitaigorie offer any discounts for students or seniors?

Yes, Chitaigorie offers a discount card with accumulating discounts. Just show your student or senior ID at checkout to receive your discount.

Can I purchase gift cards at Chitaigorie?

Yes, Chitaigorie offers gift cards in various denominations. Just ask a staff member for more information.

Does Chitaigorie have a rewards program?

Yes, Chitaigorie offers a rewards program that rewards you for your purchases. Just sign up at checkout to start earning points and redeeming rewards.

Can I use my Chitaigorie discount card online?

Yes, you can use your Chitaigorie discount card online. Just enter your card number at checkout to receive your discount.

Chitaigorie Review: Is it Worth the Price Tag?

Hello everyone!

I'm a big fan of Chitaigorie stores. There's something comforting about stepping into a familiar bookstore in any new city I visit - and, of course, being blown away by the prices of books. But more on that later!

As someone who's always on the road for work, and who loves to travel with my family a few times a year, I've developed a tradition of picking up a new book from each city I visit. I know it sounds old-fashioned, but I just can't get enough of physical books - even though I've been a Yandex Books user for ages. And let's be real, choosing books is a whole experience in itself. The sights, sounds, and atmosphere of a bookstore are what really draw me in - I can easily get lost in one for two or three hours!

✔️ Redesign

The stores have had a major makeover in 2025, and it's a game-changer. Just take a look at how stunning they look now!

This isn't just a dull white background with blue text - it's more like stepping into a high-end bookstore. I'm not kidding!

I remember when they first opened, some stores had these super comfy bean bags where you could sit and browse through a book. They phased those out, but now it seems like they're bringing them back. I'm loving it!

I love how spacious their stores are. No narrow aisles or confusing layouts – everything is thoughtfully designed and easy to navigate.

✔️ Product selection

The Chitaigorie stores are literally everywhere in my city (Voronezh). There are two within a 30-minute walk from my place. I think they have more locations than Fix Price, which is awesome!

I'm constantly browsing their selection because it's so vast. They've got all sorts of genres and categories, and I love how they label their shelves with signed displays – it's super helpful and makes it easy to find what I'm looking for.

Plus, near the checkout area (usually where the new releases are displayed) you can find a big bin with new and interesting titles. I always make sure to check it out.

There's usually another bin near the checkout with discounted books. I'm not a collector, so I'm always happy to grab a book that catches my eye, regardless of its condition.

I've gotta say, the selection of stationery in the store is pretty impressive. You can find everything from notebooks and folders to pens and pencils - whatever your heart desires.

One thing that stood out to me was the separate section for hobby supplies.

And all the little extras: shopping bags, cups, and other fun knick-knacks.

✔️ Customer Service

As someone who's worked in corporate training for a long time, I can tell you that customer service is directly tied to a company's policies. And I've got to give huge props to the managers here, who understand the nuances of buying books. After visiting thousands of stores across the country, I've never once had a pushy salesperson following me around, asking if I needed help. Here, you're given the freedom to browse the shelves, flip through pages in peace, and make a thoughtful decision about which book to choose.

I think it's really refreshing to see a company that prioritizes customer experience like this. In an age where it's hard to find stores that take a similar approach, especially at a national level, I appreciate the effort and hope it continues for years to come.

✔️ Pricing

I've got to say, the prices in Chitaigorie really get me down. It's just not great value for money, plain and simple. I get it, but if we're trying to encourage more people to read in our country, shouldn't book prices be more reasonable? I'm not exactly swimming in cash, and neither are a lot of people. I'm not willing or able to shell out thousands of rubles a month for books, that's for sure!

On the other hand, the same books could be cheaper – and often are. For example, I was browsing through a bookstore recently and spotted a nice edition of 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' in the 'Classics for Yourself' series. I opened up the app and saw the price...

But to be honest, I wasn't that keen on reading it. Then I stumbled upon an Ozon sale and guess what?...

Pretty cool, now I've got this nice edition on my shelf and it only cost me 203₽!

That's a whopping 60% off the price at Chitaigorie! So, it looks like the problem is with the store's pricing policy. That really gets me down.

✔️ Customer loyalty program

I've been using this rewards program for a while now, and one of the things that really stands out is that it lets you earn and redeem points on purchases up to 100% of the item's value!

To join the program, you need to have a card, which is also duplicated in the app.

Here's how points are awarded:

1. Cashback on purchases - I can get between 3 and 15% of the purchase price, depending on my total spending over time. I've been at 15% for ages, but that's the max and it doesn't go any higher. 2. Writing reviews for books - I get 15 points for a 300-character review, plus another 15 if I bought the book from Chitaigrood. That means I can write reviews for any book I've read, even if it's from Yandex Books, and get 15 points each time. 3. Guaranteed 100 points on my birthday (don't forget to mark it in the app).

Here's one of the last books I bought entirely with points.

And here's one with 75% paid for with points.

I sometimes intentionally save up more points just so I can go to the store and get everything I need with them.

✔️ My money-saving tips

⏭️ The most obvious one is using the rewards program - I've already mentioned that, so I won't repeat it.

⏭ I've got another trick up my sleeve - the app. In the app, books from certain collections are often cheaper. And here's the thing: even when you're already in the store, browsing the shelves, don't rush to the checkout just yet. Take a look at the app and compare prices. You can even order through the app, and within 15-30 minutes, they'll have it ready for you (if the book is in stock), and you'll get it right away, saving a pretty penny in the process. That's exactly what I did with this book, saving around 15% in the process.

⏭ And then there's the mouse - I often pop into Chitaigord just to browse. And then I'll search for the same thing on marketplaces at a more reasonable price. Like this beauty, which I wrote a review about, I first spotted it in the store.

I've been weighing the need to buy this edition for years, mainly because I already have it in another version. And, of course, the current price is a major factor - it's dropped significantly since I first started considering it.

And I finally picked it up in 2025 on a discount sale for just 800 rubles (it's gone up a bit since then)! I'm still super happy with it, like a happy elephant.

✔️My Purchases

I've got a ton of books from Chita-Gorod, and I wouldn't even try to show you all of them, or I'd hit the photo limit. But I'll show you the most notable ones I bought in other cities over the past two or three years. These are regular editions, not super fancy or anything, but they're the ones I wanted to read at the time, so for me, they're real souvenirs that hold memories.

Moscow (my favorite city, I LOVE visiting, even for layovers during business trips)

St. Petersburg (and this is my husband's favorite city, he'd move here tomorrow if he could)

The biggest book I bought was in Sochi. It was raining, and I ducked into a store on Navaginskaya Street. Then we had to carry our little dog, Shchegel, because he wouldn't fit in our luggage (typical us, my husband carried him)

Novorossiysk, a great store near the central beach

I've spent a lot of time traveling for work, and Kirov is definitely one of the friendliest cities I've encountered. I've been there on multiple business trips, and it's always a pleasure to visit.

On a recent trip to Riazan, I found myself browsing through bookstores instead of the usual mushroom shops. I'm not complaining, though - I did spot some great Yessenin editions.

Samara is a city I've grown to love, thanks to its stunning views of the Volga River.

Perms is another city that's won me over, and I've found solace in its books and literature.

I visited Tula with a lovely care package of local treats, including some delicious pryaniki. My little one even joined me on the trip.

Rostov-on-Don holds a special place in my heart, and I've had the pleasure of visiting it frequently for work.

✔️ My Verdict

I've gotta say, I'm really impressed with Chita-Gorod! The selection of books is always top-notch, the app is super user-friendly, the service is unobtrusive, and the loyalty program is one of the best I've ever seen. If I'm being nitpicky, I'd say the pricing could be a bit more reasonable. I'd love to buy books without breaking the bank – for the price of a plane ticket, I'd have to think twice. I'm deducting a star for the pricing, but everything else is spot on.

My Thoughts on My Latest Reads:

📌 The Manuscripts Won't Burn: A Stunning Edition of Master and Margarita

📌 Rethinking an Old Fairy Tale: Gretel and Her Demons

📌 If You've Got Paranoia, It Doesn't Mean Your Evil Stepdaughter Isn't Sneaking Around at Night Trying to Kill Your Kid

📌 Telling Kids About WWII: Breathtaking Swamp Adventures

📌 My Long-Term Autumn Vibes: A Haunting Autumn in England and a Complex Family History in the Thirteenth Book