OREANDA-NEWS. On 23 March 2009 was announced, that at least 50 so-called social stores which sell goods to the citizens entitled to benefits at a cut price will be open in the centre of Moscow within 2009.

“50 social stores were open in the district last year as well. In total, 302 such stores accredited by City Hall are open within central Moscow now,” Olga Veldina, press officer of Moscow’s central administrative district, said.

On March 14 Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov visited one of these stores, LLC Edem, and held a staff conference. The key issues on the agenda were the problems of Moscow’s small businesses amid the global financial crisis.