Shopping at Advent: here are the opening hours in Central Switzerland

The Christmas Sale aims to boost retail sales. (Photo: Philipp Schmidli (December 11, 2016))

• Then the stores are open to Advent 2018

Not only the illuminated wharf is an indication, but a look at the shops in the old town reveals it: the advent is near. The shops are full of Christmas trees, poinsettias and artificial snow. This is not surprising because the most important period of the year begins for them.

This year's final Christmas rush is particularly crucial: retailers are reminiscing for a slack year, also because of the weather. "The fall was far too hot for some segments," says economist Sascha Jucker. As a result, retailers are now hoping for a change of weather: "A cold period before Christmas would lead to a much better year overall," says Jucker.

December doubles the revenues

Advent is particularly important for the retail toy, consumer electronics and apparel segments. "According to the segments, December sales are twice as high as those of an average month," says Jucker.

Lucerne shopping centers compete with various events to attract the attention of customers. in the Emmen Center For example, just before Christmas, a "walking piano" can be operated with your feet. the Pilatusmarkt in Kriens wants to attract younger and older students with a Christmas circus. the Länderpark In Stans, children take the "Länzgi-Märlibus" to a fantastic world. Main attraction of Mall of Switzerland in Ebikon, the ice field on the Ebisquare is 1000 square meters.

Open on both Sundays and the Immaculate Conception

But not only for shopping centers, an important moment is exploding. "The Christmas trade is a decisive factor for a good annual result of the shops in the city," says Josef Williner, president of the City Association Lucerne. As a result, sales on both Sundays on December 16 and 23 are very important for dealers (see table).

Also on Christmas Eve, the stores in Lucerne are open. it's legally possible until 5 pm. The municipal association, however, recommends closing an hour earlier. "Christmas is a special day, you should pay tribute to that," says Williner. Especially in the interest of employees, who should be released a little earlier during the holidays: "It's also a thank you for that because December is an intense month."

The opening hours of the shops, however, are not without little nonsense: so close the stores the day before when designing the Immaculate Conception at 5 pm to celebrate the holidays. On this Saturday, December 8, the stores will be open until 18:30 – a Saturday with a longer opening hour, which is rare in Lucerne.

Signs of action instead of fir trees

After Christmas is quickly over with decorated Christmas trees: On December 27, stores are quickly on sale. "The week between Christmas and New Year continues to be one of the best selling," Williner said. Depending on the business, the party jewelry should give way to the action boards two days after Christmas.

But according to Williner, sales on the calendar go further and further: "In some cases, the stock starts in mid-December." For example, it may be worthwhile to postpone the Christmas shopping trip.

Then the stores are open to Advent 2018