What is TSUM? Explanation of the abbreviation

What does it mean TSUM (deciphering the abbreviation), everyone knew in Soviet times , regardless of which part of the USSR he lived in. After all, this word, like GUM, was synonymous with the shopping paradise, where it was possible to buy absolutely everything. How did the history of TSUM develop and what happened to him today?

What is TSUM

There are two versions of what these three letters mean.

The official decoding of the word "TSUM" is the central department store. This is the name of one of the largest shopping centers in the history of the USSR and the modern Russian Federation, located at the intersection of ul. Petrovka and Theater Square in Moscow.

The total sales area of this institution (taking into account the floors) is 69 square kilometers, which makes TSUM one of the largest shopping centers in Europe, and in the whole world.

There is also another decoding of the word "TSUM" - the central department store in Moscow. More often than this is the name of this store visitors who at all times of its existence accounted for the bulk of buyers. However, this interpretation is not entirely true, since it was always considered the main trade attraction of Moscow since the appearance of GUM.

History of TSUM until 1917

Having understood what TSUM is, it is worth to learn more about its history, because in its different periods it has always been in the center of attention.

Until the XIX century. In the Russian Empire there were no shopping centers in their current understanding. Poor peasants and middle class people were bought in shops, at bazaars or in small specialized shops, while for the wealthy elite goods were made on order or imported from abroad.

In 1857 two Scottish businessmen arrived to Russia - Andrew Muir and Archibald Meriliz. Settled in a new country, in a few years, businessmen opened a small haberdashery store.

The business of their trade mark "Mur and Meriliz" quickly went up the hill, entrepreneurs began to gradually expand the range of their enterprise, opening there more and more new departments. Until they came to the fact that you need to open your own universal shopping center, which they did.

Already by 1888-1889 gg. The universal store "Mur and Meriliz" was working at full speed and managed to earn an excellent reputation. Here it was possible to purchase relatively inexpensive (for the middle class) high-quality goods, not only foreign, but also Russian producers. In addition, the store had a system of return or exchange of goods, as well as a delivery service that could send purchases even to neighboring cities. In addition, in the future TSUMe produced a seasonal catalog of goods, which could be ordered by mail.

However, the success of "Mur and Meriliz" could not but arouse envy among less successful entrepreneurs. Therefore, according to the ancient Russian tradition, competitors twice tried to burn the universal store of Scots (1892 and 1900). It was rumored that the "Upper Trading Rows on the Red Square in Moscow" (the future GUM) had somehow connected with this, which at that time was organizing its own shopping center.

Despite all the intrigues of competitors, Mur and Meriliz in a short time not only were able to rebuild their store, but in a few years turned it into a huge seven-story complex, which became the best in pre-revolutionary Moscow. Its beauty, convenience and gloss attracted the attention of absolutely all walks of life. Wealthy citizens came to "Mur and Meriliz" to buy something, and those who could not afford it, visited the store like an exhibition of luxury.

TSUM in the Soviet pre-war time

After the revolution and the arrival of Soviet power, the shopping center "Mur and Meriliz" was voluntarily and compulsorily transferred to state ownership, and by 1922 it was officially renamed Mostorg and opened in a solemn atmosphere.

However, before the former grandeur of "Mur and Meriliz" Mostorg (which was soon renamed the Central Department Store) could not be held up. The quality of goods and services was considerably inferior to the pre-revolutionary period. Moreover, GUM opened in the next year began to be positioned as the main department store of the country. By the way, the decoding of the word "GUM" and "TSUM" is very similar: State universal store and Central universal store. Although the state stimulated the development of TSUM and GUM, the latter preferred: there was organized its own sewing studio, and there were more scarce goods distributed here. But TsUM (deciphering the abbreviation above) was now forever forced to become the second.

Despite this, the store still flourished. By the way, it was one of the first to start issuing goods to workers on credit.

Since 1933, TsUM, for the first time in the USSR, began selling luxury goods at higher prices.

TSUM during and after the war

However, the store did not have to shake for long - the Great Patriotic War began. During this period the position of TSUM changed. Now its upper floors were converted to barracks. And on the lower ones they continued to sell goods, however only to workers and only by cards. This system lasted until the end of the war.

After the victory, the full-scale work of the department store was restored in the shortest possible time. Moreover, to ensure the customers' need for TSUM secured a part of the Soviet factories and plants, which were supposed to provide the store with a sufficient number of goods.

Unfortunately, the quality of goods began to deteriorate, since the main priority was their number. To meet the growing demand, factories and factories often produced products of disgusting quality, and buyers, for want of better, were forced to take what is. For this, we had to stand for many hours.

In rare cases, foreign goods could be purchased at TsUM. True, this was a great rarity and incredible luck. Sometimes, in order to fulfill the sales plan, scarce and imported goods were specially marketed at the end of the month or before important holidays.

In the 70-80's. The store began a period of experiments. To optimize the work, a self-service system was introduced, as well as a simplified payment system.

On the ruins of the USSR

After the collapse of the USSR TSUM continued to exist, but needed adaptation to the conditions of a market economy. With this purpose in 1992 it was turned into an open joint-stock company. A few years later, an international tender was held to find investors and re-equip the department store buildings.

The winner was the German company ReDesign Einrichtung GmbH, whose efforts increased the sales area of TSUM. The shop has changed. Additional staircases, parking for cars, elevators were installed. The system of service and payment was also optimized. And in 1997, TSUM appeared before the customers in a new, more modern form.

TSUM today

Having dealt with what TSUM is, and also having studied its history, let's find out how this store's business is today.

In the early 2000s, Mercury took over the management of the shopping center. Thanks to her initiative today about what TSUM is known far beyond the borders of the country. Now in its territory there are not only shops, but also open 3 cafes, dry cleaning and beauty salons.

In addition, the modern TSUM actively participates in the social life of the society. There are artistic, photo and video exhibitions, as well as charity events.

But there is this universal store and its shortcomings. These include not always well thought out advertising inside TSUM. Several scandals are associated with it. Fortunately, the management of the shopping center could hear customers and meet their requests.