As the end-of-year holidays approach, Czech supermarkets and retail chains are rolling out their adjusted opening hours.

The rules are partly set by the country’s retail-hours legislation, and partly by each chain’s own holiday policy. Anyone planning to pick up last-minute groceries for Christmas or New Year’s Eve will need to pay attention, because most large stores will reduce hours significantly.

Czech law requires all shops larger than 200 square meters to close on key public holidays, including Christmas. This means:

• 24 December (Christmas Eve): Large stores must close by 12:00.
• 25 and 26 December: Large shops and restaurants remain closed all day.

Pharmacies, airport and railway-station shops, gas-station convenience stores, and small independent shops under 200 square meters are not affected and may operate normally.

What Happens on New Year’s Eve

Although 31 December is not a public holiday, supermarkets traditionally shorten their hours. This year, many chains are closing earlier than usual.

Lidl will shut its doors the earliest, closing by 5 p.m. but opening normally in the morning.

Tesco is keeping stores open until 6 p.m., after which all branches close. Tesco shops will also stay closed on 1 January.

Kaufland is following the same timetable, operating until 6 p.m. on New Year’s Eve and remaining closed for the entire first day of the new year. Regular hours resume on 2 January.

Albert’s schedule varies. Most branches are expected to close around 6 p.m., but stores inside shopping centers may shut even earlier. Customers are advised to check the hours of their specific location.

Delivery Services Will Also Slow Down

Couriers are preparing for reduced capacity on 31 December, meaning fast delivery may not be available. Rohlík is shortening the ordering window and adjusting operations throughout the day.

Globus deliveries via Foodora and Wolt will depend on courier availability.

Wolt expects to operate on both New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, but delays are likely.

Anyone planning to prepare food for New Year’s Eve should shop early. The safest window is from morning until early afternoon. After 5–6 p.m., most major supermarkets will already be closed, and courier services will be running in limited mode.

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