Beryozka (Russian retail store)

"little birch") was the common name of two chains of state-run retail stores in the Soviet Union that sold goods in exchange for foreign currency.

Beriozkas sold luxury goods such as chocolate and caviar that were often unavailable or unaffordable in traditional Soviet markets and shops.

The money were usually spent by workers who earned abroad or by tourists and westerners who visited the Soviet Union.

The foreign currency had to be exchanged for ruble-denominated Vneshposyltorg cheques, either by the recipient or by government intermediaries.

The Albatross stores sold goods for Torgmortrans cheques issued to the sailors by the Merchant Maritime Transport department (Torgmortrans) of the Soviet Ministry of the Maritime Fleet in exchange for foreign currency earned by the sailors.