A Sales ban on holidays has been in place for more than two years in Slovakia. The ban concerns only retailers.
Therefore, Metro, which is a wholesaler, can afford longer opening hours even at Christmas, as reported by the Sme daily. Most stores cannot open between December 24 (after 12:00) and 26 as well as on January 1 and 6.

Since the ban was introduced, people can do their shopping only at pharmacies and petrol stations. In fact, some petrol stations, including Shell and Lukoil, grasped the opportunity and began to sell bakery, dairy products, as well as fruit and vegetable.