JIP is a Czech supermarket retail chain that operates under two banners – JIP and JIP Cash & Carry. It reported a turnover of €520 million in 2021, and currently operates out of 42 locations, of which 28 are retail stores, and 14 cash-and-carry outlets. British retailer Tesco has had a presence in Czechia since 1992, and operates stores under three banners, Tesco, Tesco Express, and Tesco Extra. The retailer reported a turnover of €1.7 billion in 2022, and currently has 185 outlets in the country, including a number of forecourt outlets. With a turnover of €2.9 billion (as of 2021) and currently boasting 267 outlets, discounter Lidl holds the title of the biggest supermarket retail chain in the Czech Republic. In some countries, there is already pushback against these business models.
Cesky Krumlov Christmas Markets

The grim specter of sexual slavery still lingers in the underbelly of many Eastern European capitals. While a thriving sex industry has bolstered the country’s economy since the Velvet Revolution of 1989, it’s a complex issue that requires attention. In 2019, estimates suggested that between 12,000 to 13,000 women worked in the country’s sex industry, with many being victims of trafficking or coercion. It’s important to differentiate between sex work which involves consensual engagement in commercial sex, and sex work which involves force, coercion, or deceit.
- Dominated by a castle built from the 14th century and stretching across the Vltava river, which cascades through the centre of the town, the already picturesque setting is made breathtaking by the deep blanket of snow.
- While prostitution itself is not explicitly illegal in the Czech Republic, the activities surrounding it are heavily regulated.
- It was a bit hazy when we visited, but of course I still took tons (and tons) of photos, haha.
- These technologies obscure users’ identities and locations by routing their internet traffic through multiple volunteer-operated servers worldwide, making it extremely difficult to trace activities back to individuals.
- There are restrictions against writing in support of Nazism, racism or violating Czech law.
- Patterns recommended to avoid include hiring hitmen like Dread Pirate Roberts, and sharing handles for software questions on sites like Stack Exchange.
Technological advancements like AI-driven security, quantum-resistant encryption, and blockchain integration are reshaping the landscape, but simultaneously, global enforcement efforts grow more sophisticated and collaborative. Dark-web marketplaces often attract attention due to their association with illicit activities; however, these platforms also serve legitimate purposes that align closely with principles of online privacy and freedom of information. Understanding both the lawful and unlawful scenarios helps provide a balanced view of their practical applications in 2025. Experienced users typically prefer marketplaces with robust vendor rating systems, detailed feedback options, and transparent dispute resolution processes. Platforms known for consistently resolving issues and eliminating fraudulent vendors quickly gain credibility and user loyalty. Dark-web marketplaces operate through encrypted networks, primarily utilizing anonymity-enhancing technologies such as Tor (The Onion Router) and I2P (Invisible Internet Project).
The oldest is Krkonoše National Park (Biosphere Reserve), and the others are Šumava National Park (Biosphere Reserve), Podyjí National Park, and Bohemian Switzerland. In the 1946 elections, the Communist Party gained 38%77 of the votes and became the largest party in the Czechoslovak parliament, formed a coalition with other parties, and consolidated power. For the next 41 years, the Czechoslovak Communist state conformed to Eastern Bloc economic and political features.78 The Prague Spring political liberalization was stopped by the 1968 Warsaw Pact invasion of Czechoslovakia. Analysts believe that the invasion caused the communist movement to fracture, ultimately leading to the Revolutions of 1989.
Christmas Markets
On 31 December 1992, Czechoslovakia was peacefully dissolved, with its constituent states becoming the independent states of the Czech Republic and Slovakia. While prostitution itself is not explicitly illegal in the Czech Republic, the activities surrounding it are heavily regulated. Prostitution is considered a legitimate entrepreneurial activity, and those who engage in it are required to register with the authorities and undergo regular health checks.
What And Where To Eat In Cesky Krumlov
Like most markets during the COVID-19 pandemic, the country experienced supply chain disruptions and record output declines in 2020, from which the country has slowly regained ground, with a return to 2.5 percent growth in 2022. The Czech Republic’s unemployment rate is the lowest in the EU and the country faces labor shortages in certain sectors, primarily in technology and healthcare. The country has remained outside the Eurozone and maintains its own currency, the Czech crown.
What To Pack For Winter In Cesky Krumlov

According to GlobalData’s company and brand analysis, Stock Spirits Group, Lerida International and Pernod Ricard Group held significant shares in the Czech Republic rum market in 2022. Concurrently, Bozkov, Cuerpo and Havana Club led in terms of brand market share. Companies operating in the Czech Republic rum market continue to use innovation to target gaps in product offering. Continuous tracking of market size and company performance is important to help competitors capture and maximize profits. This is the main square of medieval Cesky Krumlov, and I think we passed through it at least a dozen times, haha. Because it’s where you’ll find the Cesky Krumlov Christmas markets and all the snacks that come with it (more on that soon)!
Around 60% of them shoulder the responsibilities of single motherhood, often caring for two or more children without state or paternal support. The situation speaks to the wider issue of poverty, gender inequality, and social exclusion faced by this underrepresented community. Though the Czech Republic has made progress in reducing poverty and social exclusion, persistent ethnic discrimination and socioeconomic inequality continue to impede improvement.
Czech Justice Minister Resigns After Accepting €40 Million In Bitcoin From Convicted Criminal
After years of low and stable inflation, disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic and the War in Ukraine caused inflation to rise sharply in 2022 reaching double digits. The Czech National Bank (CNB) responded by quickly raising interest rates from a low of 0.25 percent in 2021 to seven percent by June 2022 and by summer of 2023 inflation had declined to around 9.7 percent. The CNB is expected to maintain the current interest rate and inflation is expected to gradually decline to around 3.5 percent by 2024.
The market, which operates every Saturday morning, offers a unique combination of fresh produce, delicious street food, stunning views of Prague, and a lively atmosphere, making it a must-visit destination. In the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, state regulation was the dominant way authorities dealt with the sex industry in Europe, with governments implementing mandatory health checks, police surveillance, and registering sex workers. While sex work remains legal in most European Union countries, a select few—France, Sweden, and Ireland—have implemented the Nordic model of neo-abolitionism, which decriminalizes sex workers but prohibits buying sex. Background research tasks included learning from past drug lords, researching legal matters, studying law enforcement agency tactics and obtaining legal representation. Patterns recommended to avoid include hiring hitmen like Dread Pirate Roberts, and sharing handles for software questions on sites like Stack Exchange. A flood of illegal imports into the Czech Republic has sparked a public call to toughen trade laws.
What To Do In Prague In 4 Days: In-Depth Exploration
The city of České Budějovice has similarly lent its name to its beer, known as Budweiser Budvar. The Czech Republic,c12 also known as Czechiad13 and historically known as Bohemia,14 is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The capital and largest city is Prague; other major cities and urban areas include Brno, Ostrava, Plzeň and Liberec. While the act of exchanging sex for money is not illegal, certain activities surrounding the industry are strictly regulated to ensure the safety and well-being of those involved. Brothels, for instance, are permitted as long as they comply with specific zoning laws and adhere to stringent health and safety regulations. This approach aims to protect sex workers and minimize exploitation within the industry.


It offers a range of taste notes, from nutty and fruity to malty and roasted. The primary reason for these different flavors and colors is the use of various malts during the brewing. In the Czech Republic, distinctions between dark lagers and pale lagers are based on the beer’s body. Náměstí Republiky, just a short walk from Prague’s historic city center, is home to a delightful Christmas market. The Christmas market at Namesti Republiky is less crowded and, hence, less touristy than the markets at Old Town Square or other major squares. Items including Czech pashmina scarves, beer mugs, wooden toys, vivid prints of Prague, and also lace are all available at this market.

Geographically, Český Krumlov is surrounded by the rolling hills of the Bohemian Forest – so yes, tons of stunning natural scenery, especially when dusted with snow in the winter. And there’s also plenty of rivers in the area; Cesky is actually located in a tight bend of the Vltava River, which winds its way through the town and adds to its postcard-perfect allure. Český Krumlov is a total gem nestled in the South Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic. It’s tucked in the Vltava River Valley, about 105 miles south of Prague (the Czech capital) and a quick jaunt from the Austrian border (only 20 miles north). Official websites use .govA .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Take Sweden as an example; Sweden has banned all alcohol advertising on TV.

Dark Czech lager, known as tmavé pivo in the Czech Republic, is a unique and relatively obscure beer style. This style has long been overshadowed by the world-famous pale lagers or pilsners originating in Pilsen, Czech Republic. Accounting for less than 3.5 percent of total Czech beer production today, tmavé pivo is a dark and rich lager with a complex flavor profile. While the Christmas markets can be quite touristy and are packed with souvenir stalls, they still offer plenty of fun for visitors to enjoy.
- Brewers rely on traditional methods that emphasize natural ingredients and slow fermentation processes to achieve the distinctive earthy flavors.
- American products and brands are viewed favorably for their quality; although, competition from both European and Asian sources is high.
- In the 14th century, Emperor Charles IV invited architects from France and Germany, Matthias of Arras and Peter Parler, to his court in Prague.
- Cumulative Czech FDI in the U.S. was $225 million in 2022, with at least $500 million in announced projects for the coming two years.
To cap off your evening, consider arranging a classical music concert at one of Vienna’s many venues. This is a fantastic way to explore the famous city of music and experience the beauty of one of its historic churches or concert halls. Enjoying a concert before or after dinner will add a special touch to your Vienna experience. Oh, and on your way home, cap the night off with a steamy mug of Weihnachtspunsch (Christmas Punch) at stalls all over the city.