Spring is finally here, and Easter is just around the corner. I've got a confession to make: I'm a regular at Perekrestok, and their spring sales are a real treat. It's just a stone's throw from my place, so I'm there every day. With a big family, you can't help but visit the store daily – something's always running out or getting devoured quickly.
On my latest visit, I found myself stuck in front of the Easter display. It's all so colorful and cheerful – I was totally inspired and decided to share the joy with you. Plus, I scored a great deal on a lovely plate and bowl set, which I'll show you soon. But let's get down to business.
About the storeEach Perekrestok store is unique, and I love that. Some are spacious and super convenient, while others are smaller but still packed with a wide range of products.
It really depends on the location, too. Last winter, I had a tough time visiting the store near my place because it was a struggle to navigate the ramp with my stroller – it was slippery and steep. I ended up going to a different store that had a straight, easy entrance.
Walking into a five-store chain, you're immediately hit with the warm, inviting smell of freshly baked goods.Product selection
I've been impressed with the variety of everyday essentials available in five-store chain. One thing I'd love to see more of is fresh produce - I'm talking about colorful cauliflower or broccoli. Bananas, on the other hand, tend to go bad really quickly. I've taken to buying only the greenest bunches or those that have just been restocked. But what really stands out to me is the difference between stores.
"You can really tell who the store manager is,"
Some five-store chain locations feel like they're run by a director who genuinely cares about the customer experience. The aisles are clean, the shelves are tidy, and you can tell that the staff are doing their best. Other stores, however, seem to be struggling to keep up.
The produce and dairy sections are always well-stocked, but it's the stores that seem to be understaffed that really stand out.The undercover shopper
I decided to try out the undercover shopper challenge for myself. Let's just say it took me a while to complete the tasks, and I ended up feeling pretty awkward and uncomfortable. I've decided that's not something I'd want to do again anytime soon.
StaffI've had some great interactions with the shop assistants - they're always friendly and try to help out as quickly as possible. I've also caught a glimpse of the warehouse staff doing their thing, whether it's unpacking boxes or restocking shelves. And then there's the cleaner, who's always doing a great job of keeping the store tidy, especially on messy days. I try to give her a wide berth, but I appreciate all the hard work she puts in.
Loyalty CardThe loyalty card is a real game-changer - it's got loads of discounts and rewards that I wouldn't have known about otherwise. You can even buy one at the checkout. I've got mine loaded onto the app, but I'm not even sure where my physical card is!
Service PackageI was a bit skeptical about the service package at first, but it's been a total revelation. I've been racking up points (or 'apricots' as I like to call them) left and right, and the best part is that I can use them to pay for purchases in full.
I always look for discounts when I can, and I've managed to get around 500-700 rubles off my subscription for a half-year period. This amount is easily offset by the loyalty points I earn in my first month.Now, let's talk about the Easter collection
Easter in 2025 falls on April 20th. Five Star has decided to give its customers a head start and has prepared an entire Easter collection, which is already available in stores in March.
I visited three different Five Star stores, and each one had its own unique selection of products.
You can't help but be drawn in by the display. The shelves are just radiating positive energy.
There's just so much to look at. You could stand there for ages, taking it all in.
The color palette is soft and spring-like, but also bold and eye-catching at the same time.
As I gazed at this beauty, I felt a sense of inner peace wash over me. There's something inexplicably soothing about the warmth it brings to my heart.
After a weirdly grey winter, my eyes were craving a colorful pick-me-up.
I couldn't help but want to touch and feel each one.
Maybe the price is a bit steep, especially for the simpler designs. I mean, what's affordable these days, right?
The goose really caught my eye. If it weren't for that huge hole at the bottom, I'd have taken it home for sure.
The rabbits are all unique, each with their own special ear design.
I picked up this little plate almost immediately. I used my rewards to offset the cost, but I'm not sure how much I actually paid since they rang everything up together.
On my next visit, I picked up this salad bowl and a set of stickers to go with it.
This time, I made sure to let the cashier know to ring up my Easter items separately from my regular groceries and apply my rewards. I still had to pay 2 rubles 28 kopecks extra.Here are a few more photos of my Easter decorations.
I've been collecting bonus items for this mug. I want to put together a kid's set like this.
My Purchases
ConclusionI'm really impressed with Five Star's Easter collection. The variety of products is impressive, and the prices are reasonable. I've already made a few purchases and can't wait to see what other goodies they have in store.