The Local Europe https://feeds.thelocal.com/ Read the latest news and views from Europe in English en-us news@thelocal.com (TheLocal) webmaster@thelocal.com (TheLocal) TheLocal RSS Feed What Austria’s new lower VAT on food could mean for your shopping bill Austria will cut VAT on selected staple foods to 4.9 percent from July 1st, aiming to ease household costs. Here's what's getting cheaper (and what will still be expensive). https://www.thelocal.com/20260129/what-austrias-new-lower-vat-on-food-could-mean-for-your-shopping-bill Thu, 29 Jan 2026 11:30:38 +0100 what-austrias-new-lower-vat-on-food-could-mean-for-your-shopping-bill Grocery shopping in Austria: How much could you save by switching chains? With food prices rising in Austria the weekly grocery shopping bill has become more of a burden on households but is there anything to be saved by switching chains? David Everson-Baltas crunched the numbers. https://www.thelocal.com/20230925/grocery-shopping-in-austria-how-much-could-you-save-by-switching-chains Mon, 25 Sep 2023 16:51:05 +0200 grocery-shopping-in-austria-how-much-could-you-save-by-switching-chains Why North Korean hackers could leave Sweden short of alcohol this weekend If you're thinking of quitting the booze, now may be a good time, as Sweden may run low on alcohol in just a few days. https://www.thelocal.com/20240424/why-sweden-may-have-an-alcohol-shortage-this-weekend Wed, 24 Apr 2024 11:33:40 +0200 why-sweden-may-have-an-alcohol-shortage-this-weekend Is Sunday shopping about to become reality in Switzerland? The National Council has voted to allow certain types of retailers to open on Sunday. Does this mean you will be able to shop on this day everywhere in Switzerland? https://www.thelocal.com/20240313/is-sunday-shopping-about-to-become-reality-in-switzerland Wed, 13 Mar 2024 14:02:52 +0100 is-sunday-shopping-about-to-become-reality-in-switzerland Why post offices in France are opening changing rooms for shoppers France's post office is experimenting with opening changing rooms in some branches to cater to online shoppers https://www.thelocal.com/20240110/why-post-offices-in-france-are-opening-changing-rooms-for-shoppers Wed, 10 Jan 2024 18:43:00 +0100 why-post-offices-in-france-are-opening-changing-rooms-for-shoppers EXPLAINED: How will Austria's compulsory test requirement to go shopping work? Eastern Austria's post-Easter reopening may include mandatory testing in shops. Here's what you need to know. https://www.thelocal.com/20210326/explained-how-will-austrias-compulsory-test-requirement-to-go-shopping-work Fri, 26 Mar 2021 19:05:53 +0100 explained-how-will-austrias-compulsory-test-requirement-to-go-shopping-work