Shopping

The opening times

Finnish opening hour regulations can be somewhat confusing. The small groceries have different opening hours than for example the supermarkets. Groceries and supermarkets can be open on weekdays 7.00 - 21.00. On Saturdays they can be open 7.00 - 18.00, and smaller groceries (max 400 square metres) also on Sundays 12.00 - 21.00.

Smaller shops and boutiques are open usually from 10 am to 5 or 6 pm, on Saturdays from 10 am to 2, 3 or 4 pm. They are not open on Sundays. Department stores are usually open 9.00 - 21.00 on weekdays, 8.00 - 18.00 on Saturdays and on Sundays they are usually closed.

In May - August and November - December all shops can be open on Sundays 12.00 - 21.00 . However, the shops in downtown are usually open on Sundays 12.00 - 18.00 while the supermarkets on the outskirts of the town stay open until 9 pm.

Where can I find liqueur?

The one and only liqueur store: Alko

You can find beers and ciders in ordinary groceries, but if you want to get something stronger than 4.7% of volume, you will have to go to an Alko store. Alko has a monopoly on the retail sales of all alcoholic drinks over 4.7%-vol. such as wines, whiskeys and spirits. in Finland the age limit for the purchase of milder alcoholic drinks (max 22%-vol.) is 18 years and for stronger products the limit is 20 years.

Alkos are open:

Alko stores in smaller localities may have shorter opening hours.

You can find Alko shops in:

Economical and ecological shopping

Do you need some new piece of furniture or new curtains? Maybe you want to try skiing or ice skating and you need equipment for that. The cheapest way to get the things you need is to go and look jumble sales and recycling centres. It is also an ecological way of shopping.

Recycling Centre (Kierrätyskeskus) Map

Chairs at recycling centre

At Oulu's Recycling Centre it is possible to buy all kinds of things in a very reasonable price. There you can get for example sport equipment, furniture (starting from around 15€), dishes and lamps. There are also old bikes for sale.

The electronics are not tested and the Recycle centre does not give any guarantee to them.

Oulu's Recycling Centre is in Toppila, Paakakatu 2 Map and it is open from Tuesdays to Fridays from 10am to 5pm and on Saturdays from 10am to 2pm.

Jumble sales

At jumbe sales you can find all sort of things. There are clothes, furniture, dishes and in bigger stores (like Second hand store in Välivainio) even used bikes.

Salvation army (Pelastusarmeija) has also it's own jumble sales (at Raksila and Tuira). At least in the shop in Tuira it is possible to pay with Mastercard, Visa, and Visa Electron.

Some jumble sales:

Kontti

Jääsalontie 12 Map
90400 Oulu
tel. 08 5308 510

Second hand store

Isokatu 8 Map
90100 Oulu
tel. 020 7414820

Pelastusarmeijan myymälä (Salvation army's store)

Ratamotie 22 Map
90580 Oulu (Rajakylä)
08 556 4634
Limingantie 5 Map
90400 Oulu
tel. 08 375661
Ratakatu 6 (Oulu Bus Station) Map
90100 Oulu

and

Merikoskenkatu 1 Map
90500 Oulu
tel. 08 5209993

Alppistore

Kaarnatie 15 Map
90530 Oulu