Most large supermarkets and retail chains in the Czech Republic will close on Wednesday, October 28, as the country marks the Day of the Establishment of an Independent Czechoslovak State.

Under Czech law, shops with a sales area exceeding 200 square meters must close on the public holiday. The restriction covers most major supermarkets as well as large retailers selling clothing, electronics, furniture and other goods.

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Major chains including Lidl, Kaufland, Albert, Billa, Penny Market and Tesco are expected to close their large stores for the day.

The restrictions apply nationwide and are based on Act No. 223/2016 Coll., which regulates retail opening hours on selected public holidays.

October 28 commemorates the establishment of an independent Czechoslovak state in 1918, following the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire at the end of World War I.

Which shops can remain open

Not all retailers are subject to the closure requirement. The law provides several exceptions, allowing certain businesses to operate as usual.

These include:

• Small grocery stores and convenience shops with a sales area of up to 200 square meters
• Pharmacies
• Shops at petrol stations
• Retail outlets at airports
• Shops located at railway and bus stations
• Shops within medical facilities

Smaller shops are not required to open, however. Their owners can decide whether to operate on the holiday and may introduce shorter opening hours.

Customers are therefore advised to check the opening times of individual stores before setting out to shop.

What about shopping centres in Prague

Shopping centres may continue operating on October 28, even though their largest retail outlets must remain closed.

Smaller shops that fall below the 200-square-meter threshold may open, while restaurants, cafés, cinemas and other leisure businesses can continue serving customers.

Opening arrangements may differ between individual shopping centres, so visitors should check the holiday schedules published on their official websites before travelling.

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