The Czech online retailer Alza is not the only company to have found that opening a store is a good way to boost sales and improve the customer experience. But come Christmas time, when the commercial inspectors come around, Alza claims that its store in Prague 7 isn’t really a store, but rather a facility for picking up and returning goods, and a showroom for its clients’ goods. The reason is that the commercial inspectors are checking to make sure large shops (more than 200 sqm) aren’t open on state holidays. Last year, Alza was charged with being open on Christmas and by all reports, the same has happened this Christmas. The company risked a penalty of CZK 5m but has so far been ordered to pay just CZK 230,000. The company’s spokeswoman said they will appeal the fine.
