Big stores are usually closed on Christmas. But this year, there will still be an emergency on the first day of Christmas, December 25, which allows them to open. Therefore, Health Minister Vlastimil Válek (TOP 09) is preparing a proposal to limit opening hours. Nevertheless, supermarket chains and hobby markets have decided not to wait for the government. They will close no matter what the government chooses.
They will remain closed on Christmas Eve in the afternoon and all day on both Christmas holidays on Saturday and Sunday. People will have to shop in advance if they don’t want to rely on curfews or petrol station outlets, exempt from the law.
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“Traditionally, Billa stores will remain open in the morning on Christmas Eve for last-minute shopping. They will then remain closed to customers during the holidays on December 25 and 26, as well as on New Year’s Day, ” spokeswoman Dana Bratánková said. She added that on New Year’s Eve, people would be able to shop from 7 am to 5 pm.
Other large chains, such as Lidl, Globus, Tesco, and Albert, have done the same. Only the opening hours on Christmas Eve differ slightly. For example, Globus or Lidl want to close at 12.30 pm, Tesco at 11 am. Albert plans to let the last customers in at 11.45.
The same applies to hobby markets such as OBI or Baumax. However, IKEA’s furniture retailer will not be open on Christmas Eve morning. Only the Makro wholesale store will be available on December 26.
The emergency retail opening hours law is not in force and is not checked. Nevertheless, big stores already closed last year during the state of emergency to let employees rest. Health Minister Vlastimil Válek (TOP 09) will submit a proposal to the government on Wednesday that the opening hours restriction should apply regardless of the state of emergency.