Supermarkets to close earlier due to Oranje semi-final match

Various supermarkets will close earlier than usual on Wednesday to allow their staff to watch the Netherlands men’s football team against England. The semi-final of the European Championships starts at 9 p.m. in Dortmund.

The over 125 stores owned by Dirk will close at 8:30 p.m. at the latest. Most of the stores usually stay open until 10 p.m. “This way, everyone can be home in time for the game,” said a spokesperson for Dirk.

Supermarkets owned by the chain Hoogvliet hung signs outside warning customers of the earlier closing time. Hoogvliet wrote on Instagram that the doors will close at 8:30 p.m. “Working together is also watching football together,” the message stated. The chain also closed its stores earlier for the other European Championship matches.

DekaMarkt and Lidl are also closing their supermarkets earlier. The Lidl stores will close at 8 p.m. “We want to give everybody the chance to experience this unique moment with their friends and family,” said a Lidl spokesperson.

Jumbo and Albert Heijn are sticking to their regular opening times. “We expect many customers to watch the semi-final, and we are adapting the number of staff we have working during that time in our stores. This way, we ensure that as many colleagues who want to watch the game as possible can do so. The colleagues who don’t like football and would rather work are there to help customers after 9 p.m.,” said a spokesperson for Albert Heijn.