Early Christmas Cheer: Kinder Advent calendars Appear in Czech Stores in October
October has seen an unusually early appearance of Christmas confectionery in Czech supermarkets, specifically Kinder-branded Advent calendars and sweets. While most shoppers haven’t yet begun their holiday preparations, a keen customer recently made a significant purchase at an Albert supermarket.
The first Christmas-themed displays were spotted in Albert supermarkets and hypermarkets, though unlike last year, the products aren’t consolidated in one section. Instead, items are scattered throughout the store - near oils and vinegar, alongside lemonades and salami, and even in the drugstore section. This dispersed arrangement means shoppers seeking specific items will need too browse the entire store.
Despite the early arrival, interest remains low. A saleswoman at the Arcade Pankrác Albert hypermarket noted that while they stock the calendars annually, sales typically pick up closer to the feast of St. Nicholas. “It is soon, we include the Advent calendars like this every year, but they go for sale but with the approaching Nicholas,” she said, adding that customers often comment on the early display but generally ignore it if they aren’t ready to shop.
Though, one customer bucked the trend. A senior citizen purchased three of the largest Kinder Advent calendars, priced at 649 Czech crowns each, spending nearly 2,000 crowns in total.The purchase surprised the shop assistant, who stated she was the first customer to buy Christmas goods. The customer explained she was buying the calendars for her grandchildren who live abroad and are visiting for the weekend. She had previously searched several smaller shops without success.
According to Albert representatives, the current selection is just the beginning of their Christmas offerings. While prices remain consistent with last year, currently the selection is primarily Kinder products, with more variety expected as the holidays approach.
Current pricing includes: a 100-gram Maxi Kinder egg for 119.90 crowns, a 220-gram Maxi Kinder egg for 339 crowns, a small Advent calendar (containing Kinder Country or classic eggs) with 226 grams of chocolate for 299 crowns, a 24-piece Kinder chocolate pack (300 grams) for 179 crowns, another 24-window calendar for 299 crowns, and a Kinder Bueno Advent calendar for 339 crowns. The most expensive item remains the large 370-gram calendar at 649 crowns – the same price as last year. All items are marked with a “great price” label.
(Photo: Bára Richterová, Praguein.cz/Christmas eggs Kinder)
