The National Retail Association (NRA) has warned consumers of a four-day lockout from retailers in regional Queensland under trading hour legislation this festive season.
Legislations in the region could mean that major retailers will be denied the ability to trade from December 25-28.
The lockout is reportedly due to the gazettal of an extra public holiday on Monday 28th paired with prevailing trading hour arrangements that prevent stores from opening.
As a result the NRA has launched a special bid in the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission to allow for one-off Sunday trading and Monday public holiday trading in certain areas of the state that would not usually allow it.
NRA CEO Trevor Evans believes the circumstances present an unfair situation for both consumers and retailers.
“Shoppers in regional Queensland may have to brave the crush to stock up on groceries or else suffer unreasonable hardship if access to food and groceries supplied by major supermarkets is denied for four consecutive days.
“It will also have similar impacts for non-food stores and regional shopping centres.
"Those hoping to purchase toys, electronics and fashion in post-Christmas sales, or to exchange items, will need to wait until Tuesday, 29 December.
“We always see extreme levels of consumer demand on Christmas Eve and Tuesday, 29 December, with unnecessary delays and inconvenience caused by congestion and difficulties in ensuring the shelves are stocked.”
Evans also said that launching a bid could relieve tension during one of the biggest periods of annual spending.
“We are hopeful that this bid will succeed and assist in easing tension around what should be a joyful and stress-free Christmas period.
“Major supermarkets will also suffer significant losses of perishable stock, as they are required to close after having increased stock weight to cater for the Christmas rush.
“Closures of any more than two days make it unworkable for certain perishable items that carry limited shelf life and make it difficult for supermarket managers to ensure the shelves are stocked for the onslaught of customers when the shops reopen.”