Prague has several department
stores, both wilting remnants of the days gone by
and flashy western newcomers. Department stores
in general have been experiencing a decrease in the numbers
of shoppers many of whom flock to shopping malls
instead.
Below are some Prague
department stores. Their opening times are subject to change.
Please check the store website for current information.
Kotva (The Anchor)
The Kotva is an institution among Prague department stores. A remnant of socialist Czechoslovakia,
it seems to be doing relatively well, even with the large, trendy Palladium shopping
mall standing almost across the street.
Address: Náměstí
Republiky 8, Prague 1 Getting there: Metro
B to Náměstí Republiky Hours: Mon-Fri 9 a.m. - 8 p.m., Sat 10 a.m. - 7 p.m., Sun 10 a.m.
- 6 p.m. Website:www.od-kotva.cz
My Národní
The My Národní department store is owned by Tesco, which has been in Prague for
many years.
It is located on Národní třída where the socialist Máj department store and later Kmart once stood.
Address: Národní
třída 26, Prague 1 Getting there: Metro
B to Národní třída Hours: Mon-Sat 8 a.m.
- 9 p.m. / supermarket 7 a.m. - 9 p.m., Sun 9 a.m.
- 8 p.m. / supermarket 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. Website:www.mynarodni.cz, www.mystores.cz
Bílá labuť
(The White Swan)
The Bílá labuť department store is
a sad reminder of what shopping used to be like in Czechoslovakia
of the 1970s and 1980s. Back then, the Na Poříčí store
with its revolving swan above the entrance was the
place to shop. Today, the depressing, ugly building stands
almost forgotten. The reason to go there is to transport oneself back in time. The store at the
top of Wenceslas Square is at a better location and seems
in better shape. Its supermarket stays open until 11 p.m.
daily.
Two locations:
Address: Na
Poříčí 23, Prague 1 Getting there: Metro
B to Náměstí Republiky or tram 3, 8,
24 or 26 to Bílá labuť Hours: Mon-Fri 9 a.m.
- 8 p.m., Sat 9 a.m. - 6 p.m., Sun 10 a.m. -
6 p.m. Website:www.bilalabut.cz
Address: Václavské
náměstí 59, Prague 1 Getting there: Metro
A/C to Muzeum Hours: Mon-Fri 9 a.m.
- 8 p.m., Sat 9 a.m. - 6 p.m., Sun 10 a.m. -
6 p.m., grocery store: Mon-Fri 7 a.m. - 11 p.m.,
Sat-Sun 8 a.m. - 11 p.m. Website:www.bilalabut.cz
Debenhams
The British department store opened in 2004
at a prominent location in the middle of Wenceslas Square.
Address: Václavské
nám 21, Prague 1 Getting there: Metro
A/B to Můstek or A/C to Muzeum Hours: Mon-Sat 9 a.m.
- 8 p.m., Sun 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Website:www.debenhams.com, www.debenhams.cz
Marks & Spencer
The British chain opened in Prague
relatively soon after the fall of communism. It can be found on Wenceslas Square and at many shopping malls, e.g. Palladium, Nový Smíchov, Metropole Zličín. The
store offers a range of clothing for adults and children and a nice food section with lots of British staples. Some locations have their own bakery. The Wenceslas Square store has a nice café upstairs.
Address: Václavské
náměstí 36, Prague 1 Getting there: Metro A/B
to Můstek or A/C to Muzeum Hours: Mon-Fri 9 a.m. - 8:30 p.m., Sat 9:30 a.m. - 8 p.m., Sun 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Website:www.marksandspencer.cz