Alko expands Sunday openings to 20 new stores this autumn
Alko will extend Sunday opening hours to 20 additional stores this autumn, bringing the total number of Alko locations open on Sundays to 55. The new openings will be introduced in phases, with most stores beginning Sunday service on 27 September, while the Tuusula Hyrylä location will start on 4 October.
The newly added stores include locations in major cities and regional centres, such as:
- Espoo: Espoonlahti Lippulaiva
- Helsinki: Herttoniemi Hertta
- Iisalmi
- Kerava: Prisma
- Kuopio: city centre Sokos
- Lahti: Syke
- Lohja: Ojamo
- Nurmijärvi: Klaukkala Citymarket
- Oulu: Kaakkuri and Rusko Citymarket
- Pirkkala: Partola
- Raisio: Mylly
- Rauma: city centre
- Riihimäki: Atomikortteli
- Tampere: Lielahti Citymarket
- Turku: Itäharju and Länsikeskus Citymarket
- Vantaa: Tammisto
- Varkaus
Iltalehti reports that the expansion follows Alko’s introduction of extended Saturday and Sunday opening hours in July, after changes to the Alcohol Act permitted alcohol sales on Sundays and public holidays. Business Director Kari Pennanen stated that customer feedback, visit numbers, and sales have been positive since the initial changes, indicating demand for the service. However, he noted that it remains too early to assess the full impact on Alko’s total sales (Yle, Iltalehti).
Holiday opening hours
All Alko stores will operate on All Saints’ Day (31 October), while stores already open on Sundays will also serve customers on Independence Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Day, and Epiphany. On Christmas Eve, all stores will close by 13:00, and on New Year’s Eve, they will remain open until at least 18:00 (Iltalehti).
Pennanen emphasised that the changes reflect evolving customer expectations, stating that for many, Sundays and public holidays are now regular shopping days (Yle). Further details on the affected stores are available on Alko’s website.
