Berlin leads way in lengthening shop opening hours - Berlin

24 hour Christmas shopping in Berlin.


The way to save the world. Christmas shopping 24 hours a day. Ho ho ho, Merry Spending.

The above quoted articles says that "other German states are expected to follow suit". This was not the case in Bavaria where politicians voted this week against the lengthening of shop opening hours.

So, whilst Berlin shows that it is being progressive, Bavaria demonstrates that it is still stuck in the past.

This upsets many foreigners living in Bavaria, as can be seen by the other discussion thread on this forum that has run to over 1,000 replies: No lengthening of shop opening hours in Bavaria

This, and banning smoking in public places. Almost makes me want to move up there.

I am trying to imagine what it would be like to walk up the road to H&M at 02:00 in the morning because I suddenly fancy ... a handbag!?

My brother-in-law works for a sports store in Bavaria and he reckons they would have to open for a few extra hours in the evening to compete with Karstadt Sports around the corner, as they will very likely do the 24 hour thing if it comes about. However, no extra staff will be taken on and the existing staff will not get paid any extra, they will work the same hours in shifts. Opening 24 hours does not seem to benefit the current workers or the customers, who will get even lousier service, day and/or night and will not create many more jobs either! If anything, won't the shops (those not in arcades or centres) need to hire extra security at night?

I think 24hr trading is a great concept, especially for people who work long/weird hours and cannot get to shops except on rushed Saturdays. However, aside from Xmas time and perhaps on long summer evenings, I don't see the long term benefits.

I think I disagree with you here. It will be impossible for a shop to open 24/6 without either taking on staff or increasing hours. Either way, more money is going to be paid out in wages. Increased opening hours, whilst probably causing total sales to increase enough to at least cover the increased wages, should also spread out sales more evenly than is currently the case. No longer will we have this mad rush between 7pm and 8pm where you really can't move in the shops. I actually hate shopping in Germany because of the crowded shops and lowsy service. I often buy new clothes when i am on holiday (i would guess that about 60-70% of my annual clothes budget is spent abroad) and spend time browsing when the shops are less crowded. If I could do that in Germany, I would spend more money there.

So, I do believe more staff will need to be hired or current staff will work longer hours, so either way more oney is flowing into the pockets of people who can then spend that hard earned cash in the shops. Secondly, customers benefit from flexible opening hours and less crowded shops.

And lest be honest, customer service can't really suffer because of extented opening hours, it is about as bad as it can get in Germany.

There is no way that Karstadt Sport will open 24 hours a day; there just isn't enough demand for waterproof jackets at 4am on a Tuesday. As I mentioned on the other thread, the vast majority of shops in Germany don't open all the hours they are permitted to even under the current "restrictive" law.

Personally i think extended hours is the way to go and that most shops will go if given the chance. Most people here are correct who wants to but a waterproof jacket from Karstadt or a handbag from Han M (do people actually shop there??) at 4 am!

however being able to shop for a few hours on a sunday or even until 10 pm during the wekk will be greatly appreciated.

This is great news by me.

I've had a few discussions with people about this, and it's funny how the opinion for or against is tied to the time you normally leave the office. I wouldn't mind the shops closing at 8 if I got out of the office at 6, but since I rarely get out before 9, I'm all for it. Makes my life easier.

You know what would be fantastic? An IHOP. Why is there no pancake house here that's open 24 hours?When I'm jetlagged and hungry at 4am, the last thing i want is a currywurst and fries, but that's all that seems to be available.

IHOP would certainly not get my custom! Detest that dreaded chain. (my opinion)

Just back from Dussman's at 1am- fantastic and there was a line- German's do want to shop after all. I could use some pancakes, but I'd rather not have them from Ihop.

cheers.

I think you can get original American pancake mix at Karstadt. DIY!

IHOP is not about quality eating. And pancake mix is readily available everywhere, i know. My point is just that it'd be nice to have a place, such as IHOP, that offers breakfast foods round the clock.

I miss IHOP...

It would be really nice if Munich follows suit with the long hours during the holiday season. I'm a notorious last minute shopper and I abhor crowds so having late hours would help me out a lot...

As mentioned, Dussmann has the longest hours, open til 2am weeknights, all night Friday and til midnight on Saturday.

Other stores are mostly open until 10pm, including: Gropiuspassagen, Media Markt, C&A, Hugendubel, Europa Center, Potsdamer Platz Arkaden, Schönhauser Allee Arcaden.

See the full list in the Berlin Tourist Info website: New opening hours in Berlin

I think that is great, that they extended their hours. It will be interesting to see, what the stores have to say about sales after a few months.