Western Australian retailers have won the battle to officially extend their trading hours for the critical Christmas sales period.
The State Government this week approved a special extension for Sunday shopping which will see retail trading hours for December 8, 15, 22 and Boxing Day converted to 8am to 6pm. Current Sunday and public holiday trading hours are 11am-5pm.
Commerce Minister Michael Mischin said the move was consistent with the Government’s policy of gradual and incremental relaxation of retail trading restrictions.
“The extra four hours for general retail shops is a significant extension of the current 11am-5pm trading times for Sunday,” Mischin said.
“The additional hours will give all retailers large and small the opportunity to cater for greater demand from shoppers during the busy Christmas trading period and also provide customers with greater convenience, choice and flexibility.
“This extension, together with 9pm weekday trading, which the Government introduced three years ago, means there will be significantly more hours available for shopping this Christmas.
“While the retail sector has been doing it tough in recent years, we are committed to giving Perth retailers the greatest opportunity to maximise their sales this Christmas and get their new year off to a good start.”
Industry bodies, such as the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) have applauded the move, however, ARA executive director Russell Zimmerman noted that further change is needed.
“While this is a step in the right direction, further reform is needed to allow retailers to sell the products and services their customers want, when it best meets their needs. The ARA urges the WA Government to make these changes permanent across all Sundays and public holidays,” he said.
“Relaxing trading hour restrictions over the Christmas period will certainly encourage shoppers to open their wallets, but this initiative needs to be made permanent. Retailers are competing with increasing numbers of online retailers who are open 24/7, and if we don’t see further reform in the near future, we may see more and more retailers closing their doors for good.”
Fast facts:
-
Unrestricted 11am-5pm Sunday and public holiday trading (except for Christmas Day, Good Friday and ANZAC Day) began on August 26, 2012 and weekday late night trading until 9pm began on October 1, 2010 for general retail shops in the Perth metropolitan area.
-
More info on retail trading hours at:http://www.commerce.wa.gov.au/tradinghours