Alko has reduced operating hours at its Savitaipale store in eastern Finland. The alcohol retailer now opens just four days per week instead of seven.
The Savitaipale location closed on Mondays and Wednesdays starting in early September. It already remained shut on Sundays.
Alko also shortened daily operating hours at the store. The company reduced hours at 13 stores across Eastern Finland.
Jari Hiekkataipale, Alko's Eastern Finland service manager, confirmed the changes. He said the retailer adjusted hours based on customer traffic patterns.
The Savitaipale store is the only Alko location in South Karelia with reduced hours. Other affected stores operate in South Savo, North Savo, and North Karelia regions.
Summer sales at the Savitaipale store typically triple compared to other seasons. The retailer adjusts operations to match seasonal demand fluctuations.
Alko maintains a retail monopoly on alcohol sales in Finland. The state-owned company operates stores nationwide with varying hours based on local demand.
These hour reductions reflect broader retail challenges in rural Finnish communities. As populations decline in some eastern regions, businesses must adapt to changing customer patterns.