Retailers edge closer to regular Sunday opening in ministry proposals
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Proposals by a Ministry of Trade and Industry working party have set out five possible solutions on the regulation of shop opening hours.
Many believe that the most workable of the recommendations is that the moderate deregulation of store opening hours will be continued. Sunday trading would be permitted for all retailers from May through to Christmas. Further liberation of opening hours could also be considered in some new areas, for instance the home furnishing, building supplies, and hardware trades.
The two extremes on the table were the restriction of opening hours from even the present situation and complete deregulation, with responsibility for when the stores' doors are open passed completely to the retailers themselves.
The greatest degree of consensus and workability seems to centre on a plan for modest deregulation such that stores would be able to trade on Sundays for a longer period of the year, from May through to year's end. At the same time, there could be examination of slightly earlier closing times than at present and conversely of consumer needs for earlier opening on Sundays. Several new categories of stores could also be included in the list.
Among retailers themselves there are differences of opinion. The current consumer goods (grocery) trade and department stores would like to see all restrictions lifted, while specialty shops have no real beef with the present limits: some even feel that they could be tightened up somewhat, according to Guy Wires, the Managing Director of the Federation of Finnish Commerce and Trade.
The federation does not see the extreme solutions as viable, but would appreciate a clarification of what is now a slightly muddled situation for consumers. People do not always know when stores are allowed to be open on Sundays.
There are similar divisions in the response of Service Union United (PAM), the trade union strongest in the retail branch. A study carried out last year indicated that around half of all shop assistants wanted shops closed on Sundays, and as many as 28% of respondents said they never wanted to work on Sundays. This compared with a similar survey carried out 10 years previously when the total nay-sayers amounted to around 50% of the membership.
Among consumers themelves, the very same split into two halves is evident. A survey carried out by the current consumer good branch last year showed that around half of Finns regarded Sunday opening as necessary or very necessary.
Year-round Sunday opening for supermarkets enjoys the support of nearly half of the population, while all stores being open seven days a week around the year gets backing from 44%.
Consumer and competition authorities are in favour of deregulation of opening hours.
Helsingin Sanomat
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| 2.6.2005 - TODAY |
 Retailers edge closer to regular Sunday opening in ministry proposals
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