Polish shoppers will find limited options this Sunday,January 11th,as most large retail stores will be closed due to the country’s Sunday trading restrictions. While a handful of exceptions-like Żabka convenience stores, smaller shops, and gas stations-will remain open, consumers hoping for a full shopping experience will need to wait until Monday, January 12th, or one of the designated eight shopping Sundays throughout 2026. The current regulations, unchanged since 2024, continue to spark debate regarding their impact on both consumers and businesses.
Is January 11th a shopping day, or will a ban on retail disrupt shopping plans? Those accustomed to shopping at Żabka stores likely won’t be affected, as they traditionally remain open regardless of the day of the week.
Is January 11th a Shopping Day? Which Stores Will Be Open?
Table of Contents
- Is January 11th a Shopping Day? Which Stores Will Be Open?
- Stores Open on Sunday, January 11th, 2026: Shopping at Biedronka and Lidl or Only at Żabka?
- Which Stores Will Be Open on Sunday, January 11th, 2026?
- Shopping Sundays in 2026: When is the Next Shopping Sunday?
- Shopping Sundays in 2026: What’s Next for the Sunday Trading Ban?
Weekends are often when household supplies run low, leading many to plan larger shopping trips. It’s most convenient to do this during free time, such as on a Sunday, provided it’s a shopping Sunday. Will stores be open on January 11, 2026?
Unfortunately, those hoping to shop today will be disappointed. January 11th is a non-trading Sunday, meaning most large stores will remain closed. However, stores like Żabka, small privately-owned shops, and gas stations will traditionally be open.
Stores Open on Sunday, January 11th, 2026: Shopping at Biedronka and Lidl or Only at Żabka?
January 11th is not a shopping Sunday, as it is not on the list of days exempt from the retail ban. This means that most large stores, such as Biedronka, Lidl, Kaufland, Auchan, and Carrefour, will be closed today. While many people would like to take advantage of the weekend to replenish household supplies, shopping at supermarkets and shopping malls will not be possible on January 11th.
Shopping on January 11th will only be possible at small neighborhood stores, and among chain stores, mainly at Żabka, which may be open due to often operating as franchise locations. Larger shopping trips should therefore be planned for Monday, January 12th, when all stores will be open.
Which Stores Will Be Open on Sunday, January 11th, 2026?
It’s important to remember that the law on the ban on Sunday trading provides for several exceptions. This means that on January 11th, 2026, certain establishments, such as:
- pharmacies,
- gas stations,
- bakeries and confectioneries,
- stores run by owners or their families,
- retail outlets at train stations and airports.
Restaurants, cafes, bars, florists, and selected stores in tourist areas may also be open on Sunday, January 11th. However, it’s worth checking current opening hours beforehand, as not every franchise or local store will be open on Sunday.
Shopping Sundays in 2026: When is the Next Shopping Sunday?
The next shopping Sunday will not be for some time. The nearest date on which the trading ban does not apply is January 25th, 2026. This year, retail will be permitted on eight Sundays. These dates are linked to seasonal increases in store traffic, including the pre-holiday and vacation periods. Shopping Sundays in 2026 fall on:
- January 25th,
- March 29th,
- April 26th,
- June 28th,
- August 30th,
- December 6th,
- December 13th,
- December 20th.
On these dates, shopping will be unrestricted in shopping malls, supermarkets, and large chains such as Biedronka, Lidl, Carrefour, and Auchan. In all other Sundays, the trading ban applies, and only Żabka, small privately-owned stores, and gas station outlets may be open.
Shopping Sundays in 2026: What’s Next for the Sunday Trading Ban?
Despite earlier announcements of changes, the parliament did not enact amendments to the law regulating the Sunday trading ban in 2024. The issue also did not return to the parliamentary agenda in 2025. As a result, the current system remains in place, whereby retail is only permitted on eight Sundays throughout the year.
The only significant modification is the establishment of a day off on Christmas Eve and the expansion of the catalog of shopping Sundays to include the third Sunday in December. This solution is intended to make pre-Christmas shopping easier for people preparing for Christmas, especially those who leave it to the last minute.
Other proposed changes, such as partial lifting of the Sunday trading ban, shortening opening hours, or introducing additional exceptions, are still awaiting consideration by parliamentary committees. This means that the same rules as before will apply in 2026, and shopping in large stores and shopping malls will only be possible on the designated eight shopping Sundays.
