The state monopoly on alcohol retailing is set to extend its Saturday evening hours at roughly one-third of its outlets, with approximately one in ten locations opening their doors on Sundays as well.
This weekend, 108 Alko stores will see a change in operating hours. Notably, some will now offer service daily—including Sundays and public holidays—from 9 AM to 9 PM. This adjustment comes on the heels of a recent amendment to the Alcohol Act, which takes effect this weekend.
Alko has decided to implement extended Saturday evening hours in 108 of its stores, with 35 participating in Sunday openings. The majority of these stores are located in and around major urban centers, including four in Helsinki and three in Espoo, while Rovaniemi will be the sole representative in northern Finland. Overall, Alko operates 359 outlets across the country.
To help customers find their nearest Sunday-opening Alko, an interactive map is available for online use.
The state-owned company plans to introduce extended hours at its busiest stores. For instance, the Alko at the Kaari Shopping Center in Helsinki’s Kannelmäki district will be open until 9 PM on Saturdays and from noon to 6 PM on Sundays.
### Mixed Reactions from Shoppers
At the Kaari Alko, patrons expressed varied opinions about the extended hours. Christer Ohls welcomed the change, noting, “I often find myself out of wine just when I need it for cooking.” He intends to take full advantage of the new Saturday hours, and perhaps Sundays as well.
Conversely, Ilkka Icon feels the adjustment is unnecessary. “Absolutely ridiculous. The current hours would have sufficed,” he remarked, voicing his dissatisfaction with the impending introduction of home deliveries for alcoholic beverages starting next year. “That reform worries me; it might make it too easy for young people and those who shouldn’t be buying alcohol at all.”
Britta Ekberg shared Icon’s hesitation but acknowledged a silver lining. “On one hand, I don’t personally need the home delivery service, but it could indeed benefit people with mobility impairments,” she said, emphasizing the complexity of the issue.
### Future of Home Deliveries
While alcohol can currently be ordered from foreign retailers to one’s doorstep, changes are on the horizon for domestic deliveries. Starting next year, residents will be able to order drinks not only from Alko but also from other local vendors, including kiosks, gas stations, and restaurants. Deliveries can be made to homes or designated pickup points every day of the year, from 9 AM to 9 PM.
To ensure responsible alcohol consumption, recipients will need to verify their age upon delivery. Moreover, the purchaser must be present and must not appear heavily intoxicated when receiving their order.
