As the long May weekend comes to a close, Sunday, May 4, 2025, will see the continuation of statutory trading restrictions in Poland. This means that shopping malls and most retail outlets will be closed for the day. However, there’s no need to worry—essential items like medicines, fuel, flowers, and groceries will still be available for purchase at select locations.
The law provides for 32 exceptions to the Sunday trading ban. On this non-trading Sunday, customers can shop at petrol stations, pharmacies, florists, and post offices, provided that the postal services account for at least 40% of their business revenue. Smaller shops, such as convenience stores like Żabka, will also remain open, but it’s important to note that their operating hours may differ from regular weekdays, often being shorter.
For those looking to do their shopping on Sundays, it’s crucial to remember that the next trading Sunday will not occur until June 29, 2025. This means that shoppers will have to wait until the end of June for a full shopping experience at larger supermarkets and shopping centers.
This year’s May holiday started on Thursday, May 1, and included two public holidays: Labour Day on May 1 and Constitution Day on May 3. As a result, shops were only open on Friday, May 2, during this extended weekend. On the public holidays, most large retail stores were closed, limiting shopping opportunities. Only small, local shops could open if operated by their owners or their immediate family members.
The gradual introduction of a Sunday trading ban began on March 1, 2018, with the restrictions tightening over the years. By 2020, the law allowed shopping only on seven Sundays a year, a number that has now increased to eight for 2025 due to recent legislative changes. Notably, this year’s shopping Sundays include January 26, April 13, April 27, June 29, August 31, December 7, December 14, and December 21.
Despite the trading ban on May 4, there are still options for consumers. While large retailers like Biedronka, Lidl, Carrefour, and Kaufland will be closed, smaller shops where the owner operates personally can remain open. This means that shoppers can still find essentials in local convenience stores or smaller independent retailers.
Interestingly, the law allows for a variety of exemptions. For instance, petrol stations, florists, pharmacies, and shops selling souvenirs or newspapers can operate freely on Sundays. The legislation also permits online shopping, which remains a viable option for consumers looking to make purchases on May 4. Many online retailers offer delivery services, making it easy for customers to order groceries and other essentials from the comfort of their homes.
The upcoming Sunday, June 29, will mark the next opportunity for shoppers to visit larger stores without restrictions. This will be a welcome change for many, especially after a month filled with limited shopping opportunities due to the May holidays and the ongoing trading ban.
As the public continues to adapt to the restrictions, opinions on the Sunday trading ban appear to be shifting. Recent surveys indicate that public sentiment is divided, with some advocating for the return of unrestricted shopping on Sundays, while others support the current regulations. In fact, a recent market report revealed that only 41.5% of Poles now favor reinstating Sunday shopping as it was prior to the 2018 legislation, a significant drop from previous years.
In the past, the law allowed for more Sundays to be open for shopping, but the current regulations have limited this to just eight Sundays per year. The consequences for violating the trading ban can be severe, with fines ranging from PLN 1,000 to PLN 100,000, and persistent violations may even lead to imprisonment.
As consumers gear up for the next shopping Sunday, they should keep in mind the specific dates when shopping will be permitted in 2025. The new law, which introduced an additional shopping Sunday in December, has led to a total of eight Sundays available for shopping, a slight increase from previous years.
In summary, while May 4, 2025, will not be a trading Sunday, there are still plenty of options for essential purchases. Consumers should take advantage of the available services, whether through small local shops or online retailers. As the year progresses, it will be interesting to see how public opinion on the Sunday trading ban evolves and whether any further changes to the law will be enacted.
