With Christmas just around the corner, many shoppers are scrambling to finalize their holiday preparations. This year, various supermarkets and retail stores will adjust their opening hours for Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve, offering last-minute shopping opportunities across different regions.
On December 24, 2024, Christmas Eve, shoppers can benefit from extended hours at several Swiss supermarkets. For example, Migros stores will close early at 4 PM, as will most Volg branches. Coop will remain open until 5 PM, providing one additional hour for those hoping to nab last-minute gifts or ingredients. Not everyone is thrilled about these extended hours; many employees feel pressured during what they describe as the most stressful shopping season of the year.
According to Elisabeth Fannin, spokesperson for the trade union Unia, "Jede Ausdehnung der Ladenöffnungszeiten ist ein Angriff auf die Arbeitsbedingungen der Detailhandelsangestellten." She highlights the overwhelming nature of this time for retail workers, who often begin feeling the pressure from mid-November with massive sales promotions leading up to the holidays. Fannin argues for allowing employees time with their families, especially on Christmas Eve.
Discount stores like Aldi Switzerland have also cut their hours, closing by 5 PM on Christmas Eve, insisting it is important for their staff to celebrate the holidays with their loved ones. This sentiment is echoed across other retailers too; Denner and Lidl will also close around the same time.
There are regional variances as well; for example, chains like Spar will have different hours depending on the canton. Notably, stores might close as early as 3 PM or stay open until 6 PM depending on their location. This inconsistency can lead to confusion for shoppers, urging customers to check their local store's hours beforehand.
Meanwhile, shopping malls are adapting their hours too. Most large shopping centers in Switzerland, such as the Glattzentrum and Sihlcity, will be open until at least 5 PM on Christmas Eve, ready to attract last-minute shoppers. The Mall of Switzerland and Emmen-Center will close slightly earlier, around 4 PM, but still provide ample opportunity for holiday shopping.
For customers needing essentials over the holidays, some shops will remain open through Christmas Day and Boxing Day, particularly convenience stores at transportation hubs like Zurich Airport. With differing hours across regions, shoppers are encouraged to plan carefully.
Turning to North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) in Germany, Christmas Eve falls on Tuesday, December 24, 2024. Here, supermarkets and discount stores are allowed to open until 2 PM. This presents shoppers with more flexibility compared to previous years when Christmas Eve fell on Sundays.
Retailers like Aldi Süd and Edeka have no standardized hours for their stores, meaning individual shops will decide on their closing times leading up to Christmas. According to reports, many will close at 1 PM or 2 PM, so buyers are encouraged to check directly with their local stores. Rewe stores traditionally close even earlier, mostly between 1 PM and 2 PM.
One Rewe spokesperson stated, "Ein Großteil der Märkte hat Heiligabend bis 13 oder 14 Uhr geöffnet," indicating the urgency for customers to complete their shopping before these early deadlines. This necessity drives shoppers to start their holiday lists early, ensuring they won’t be caught short as Christmas approaches.
Beyond practical concerns, the topic of employee welfare resonates throughout these discussions. Fannin argues, "Weihnachten kommt schliesslich nicht überraschend," stressing the need for retailers to strike balances between customer convenience and employee rights to family time during the holiday period.
Overall, being mindful of specific opening hours across supermarkets and retail outlets will allow for smoother last-minute shopping experiences. And as New Year's Eve approaches, shoppers should not only focus on immediate needs but also plan for their New Year's celebrations. Whether it’s getting party supplies or ingredients for festive meals, the early closing hours still allow for planning around the holidays.
With adjusted hours and strategies to navigate busy shopping days, the run-up to Christmas and New Year’s provides unique challenges but also opportunities for shared joyous moments if planned correctly.
