On Sungri Street near Kim Il-sung Square in downtown Pyongyang,[3] it is one of the largest retail stores in the country and is often the site of large commodity exhibitions.

[5] The store offers a variety of items including electronics, clothing, furniture, foodstuffs,[6] kitchenware, and toys.

[9][10] According to the pro-North-Korean newspaper Choson Sinbo, it is a popular shopping destination for local residents and in 2016 an average of 20,000 shoppers visited the store daily.

When after great pains Salzinger managed to purchase the goods she wanted,[14] the cashier was confused and would not hand her a plastic bag for her items: "We look at each other in the eyes.

They did not inspect the merchandise; they moved as listlessly as illiterates might, condemned to spend the day among the shelves of a library.