Where to buy things in Germany on Sundays and holidays
If you're visiting Germany for the first time, you may be shocked to learn that most shops are closed on Sundays nationwide. This is due to our law requiring most shops be closed on Sundays
Common types of stores that are closed on Sundays:
Grocery stores / supermarkets
Clothing stores
Pharmacies
General stores
Department stores
Electronics stores
This law is in force even in the biggest cities like Berlin and Munich. This can often cause issues if you absolutely need to buy some essentials, like toiletries and pharmaceutical stuff. I've had to buy contact lens solutions, toothpaste, hair gel, etc. on Sundays before
The best way to shop on Sundays is simple: go to the main train station ("Hauptbahnhof") of the city
Stores located in train stations are specifically exempt from the law, which states that points of sale at passenger stations like train stations and airports can operate 24/7, except on December 24th when they must close at 5pm. Since you most likely don't want to travel to an airport to buy your essentials, train stations are your best bet
In many cities, certainly all the major cities, the main train station (called "Hauptbahnhof" in pretty much all German cities) are all like shopping malls. They're not just for passengers to get on and off the trains, but have large shopping areas often containing a grocery store, a pharmacy, and some general stores
The main train stations are also usually located at the heart of the city center, usually easily accessible on foot or by metro. If you're not sure where the train station is, just use Google Maps and search "Hauptbahnhof"
Aside from the main train stations, Sunday shopping is also possible at gas stations. They're good for small snacks but not for most things you need to get. Again, the main train stations in a city will have the most amount of shops open on Sundays