The plan for moderate deregulation of Finnish store opening hours so that Sunday trading would be permitted for all retailers from May through to Christmas is dividing opinions among the shop-owners themselves.
The current consumer goods (grocery) trade and department stores would like to see all restrictions lifted, while some specialty shops even feel that they could be tightened up somewhat. Simultaneously, the shop assistants and other employees are preparing to start negotiations with their employers on the potential consequences of relaxed opening hours.
Finland’s Minister of Trade and Industry Mauri Pekkarinen (Centre) is to present his report on the issue to the Government today - Wednesday. The report is in favour of a plan for moderate deregulation of retail opening hours.
Currently, shops are allowed to be open on Sundays from May to the end of August and again during the Christmas season from November to the end of December.
Managing Director Osmo Laine of the Finnish Food Marketing Association would be happy if all shops would be permitted to be open from May through to the end of the year. He admits nevertheless that the profitability of Sunday opening hours depends on the shop and locality in each case.
The Federation of Finnish Enterprises, representing a total of 15,000 smaller shops, would like to maintain the current opening hours. According to Director Rauno Vanhanen, many entrepreneurs feel that the Sunday opening hours should be restricted at the end of the year to cover only December.
While the Service Union United PAM sees no need for further liberation of opening hours, it is willing to start negotiating with the Federation of Finnish Commerce just in case the legislation should be changed.
Minister Pekkarinen’s report is largely based on the study by the Ministry of Trade and Industry working party which was published last summer.
