Shopping on the holiday: where on May 1st in NRW you can still find food

where you can shop in and around NRW despite the holiday

on May 1, 2025, the day of work, a large number of shops are closed in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) because it is a legal holiday. Nevertheless, there are some exceptions that enable food and other goods. There are various options for everyone who still needs at short notice.

In NRW, supermarkets are generally not allowed to open on public holidays. Exceptions, however, form shops in particularly frequented areas such as train stations, airports as well as petrol stations and kiosks. In large cities such as Cologne, Düsseldorf and Dortmund, customers can shop on May 1st in several supermarkets such as Rewe to Go, Edeka and Lidl. These locations often also offer extended opening times in order to meet the needs of customers.

In addition to the supermarkets, some bakeries are also open, which is particularly practical when fresh baked goods are needed. However, the exact opening times of the bakeries can vary so that it is advisable to find out in advance.

alternative options

For those who are dependent on shopping on a holiday, it is also worth taking a look across the border to the Netherlands. On May 1st there is no public holiday there, which means that most shops are regularly open. Supermarkets and other retailers in cities such as Enschede or Venlo offer a wide range of products and could be an attractive alternative for purchasing.

delivery services and leisure activities

It should be noted that the common food delivery services such as Rewe and nimble are also not available on public holidays. Therefore, it is advisable to shop in time if you do not want to do without your usual purchases on a holiday. In addition, this day should also be used to enjoy the spring -like nature in NRW, as numerous excursion destinations and parks invite you to relax.

In summary, it can be said that despite the holiday there are some options for shopping in NRW, especially in heavily frequented areas. At the same time, the border location for the Netherlands offers additional options for purchasing, which takes into account the needs of consumers.