Overview
- Most supermarkets and malls across Germany close on May 1 because it is a national public holiday under shop‑opening laws.
- In North Rhine‑Westphalia, bakeries whose main range is baked goods may trade for up to five hours, and each bakery sets its own hours.
- Train stations and airports keep some grocery outlets open, including Rewe To Go, Edeka and Lidl, which often limit sales to “travel needs” and may block certain items or aisles.
- Open outlets can see heavy crowds, long waits, slimmer selection and higher prices, so checking local hours and planning for lines can save time.
- Shoppers near the Dutch border have an alternative because the Netherlands does not treat May 1 as a holiday, and regional trains covered by the Deutschlandticket link NRW to Venlo, Enschede, Arnhem and Hengelo.