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NRW Holiday Shopping: Most Stores Shut on Dec. 25–26, but Travel-Hub Markets Stay Open

State law allows five-hour bakery openings and broader sales at airport and station branches, so shoppers should confirm local hours before heading out.

Overview

  • In North Rhine-Westphalia, retailers may open on Dec. 24 only until 14:00, and supermarkets and discounters are generally closed on Dec. 25 and 26.
  • Rewe travel-hub branches are operating with stated hours: Münster Hbf (Dec. 24: 8–14; Dec. 25–26: 10–16), Köln/Bonn Airport (Dec. 24: 0–17; Dec. 25: 6–24; Dec. 26: 24 hours), and Düsseldorf Airport (Dec. 24: 5–17; Dec. 25–26: 6–22).
  • Essen Hauptbahnhof exceptions include Lidl (Dec. 24: 6–14; Dec. 25–26: 9–20) and an Aldi Nord at Willy-Brandt-Platz 7 (Dec. 24: 6–14; Dec. 25–26: 9–20).
  • An Edeka at Düsseldorf Hauptbahnhof is reported to be open around the clock over the holidays, reflecting that individual operators decide whether to use the legal exemptions.
  • Bakeries may open for up to five hours on Dec. 25 for core assortments, while reports say they must close on Dec. 26; consumers are urged to plan ahead, with Dec. 23 identified as the busiest shopping day.