Alko plans to open more stores on Sundays

Finland’s Alko alcohol retailer is likely to increase the number of stores open on Sundays after receiving strong positive feedback from customers, Yle reports.

Thirty-five Alko stores have been open on Sundays for the past month across Finland. The change became possible at the beginning of July after amendments to the Alcohol Act also allowed longer opening hours on Saturday evenings.

Alko’s business director Kari Pennanen said Sunday customer numbers had been as expected, although Sunday was so far the quietest trading day. The longer-term effects will become clearer in the autumn, when people return from holiday to their normal routines.

The changes appear to have shifted when customers shop rather than significantly increased total sales. Saturday daytime sales have eased slightly as some purchases have moved to the evening, while Sunday sales have been accompanied by lower sales at the start of the following week.

Sunday customer numbers have been broadly similar across Finland, with local events also affecting demand. The stores selected for Sunday opening are mainly the largest stores in the biggest cities. The capital region has more Sunday stores than smaller municipalities; Kuopio has one and Jyväskylä has two.

Alko will review its experience from the first weeks in August. Pennanen said the company would probably add some Sunday opening locations, although the exact number has not yet been decided. The company is also considering opening hours on public holidays, which the amended law allows it to arrange more flexibly.

Friday and Saturday are Alko’s busiest trading days, followed by Thursday and then the other weekdays. Customers buy broadly similar products on Sundays as on other days, with sparkling, white and rosé wines particularly popular in summer.