Stokrotka tests self-service model amid Polish Sunday trading ban

In Poland, the Sunday trading ban remains in effect, with the next scheduled shopping Sundays not occurring until December 6, 2026. While most supermarkets and malls are closed, certain exceptions apply, such as gas stations, pharmacies, and post offices.

To navigate these restrictions, the retail chain Stokrotka is testing a fully self-service model in selected locations, including Warsaw and Olsztyn. In these pilot stores, no retail employees are present on non-trading Sundays; instead, security personnel manage the premises while customers use self-checkout machines. Due to the inability to verify age without staff, these stores do not sell alcohol, tobacco, or energy drinks during these tests.

This model has sparked debate regarding its legality, as critics question whether automated transactions constitute trade under current laws.

Separately, the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy has rejected a petition seeking to change labor laws for 2026. The proposal aimed to grant employees an additional day off when public holidays, such as All Saints' Day on November 1, fall on a Sunday. Under current regulations, holidays falling on a Sunday do not entitle workers to an alternative day of rest.