The word "shopping" entered our vocabulary, it is believed, in the 1990s, but in fact, it was used as far back as the 19th century. It was introduced by Nicholas II's uncle, Sergei Alexandrovich. The royal family preferred to shop abroad, as numerous approvals from security were required at home. This did not please Nicholas II, as every step of the tsar was meticulously planned. Sometimes it reached absurdity. For example, the tsar once complained to lady-in-waiting Vyroubova that he wanted to buy colorful tennis socks, but the thought of having to explain his request to ten officials and seeing their surprised faces dampened his desire. Vyroubova helped the tsar by going to the store for the socks herself.

Therefore, the imperial couple most often went shopping in Western Europe. Nicholas II and his wife would dress in ordinary clothes and visit stores. The empress would try on amusing women's hats and sample perfumes, while the tsar looked for trinkets for himself. His father, Alexander III, also behaved modestly, preferring to shop in Denmark. Once, when he entered a shop, he was recognized, and a crowd gathered around the window, eager to see what the Russian monarch had bought. But as soon as the tsar paid for his purchase and headed for the exit, the Danes dispersed, not wanting to embarrass him with their attention.

Sometimes the royal family themselves stood behind the counter. At the annual charity fair in Yalta, Alexandra Fyodorovna personally sold trinkets, embroidery, and scarves, counted change, and packaged purchases. All proceeds went to help tuberculosis patients. Interestingly, they preferred shopping in Europe, but loved to relax in Russia, believing that lounging at foreign resorts was not very patriotic.