Controversial topic in retail: Should shops be allowed to open more often on Sundays?

Almost a year ago, YouGov had already conducted a survey on the topic with a similar question. The rejection was greater back then. 34 percent were in favor of more frequent Sunday openings, 59 percent against. The others did not provide any information or were undecided.

What speaks for it?

The trade associations have long been campaigning for shops to be allowed to open more often and more flexibly on Sundays. “Shopping is also a leisure experience. We are therefore committed to occasional Sunday openings in stationary retail, especially to keep city centers attractive and lively,” says Stefan Genth, the general manager of the German Retail Association (HDE).

The Textile Shoes and Leather Goods Trade Association (BTE) is also pushing for simplification. The requirements and hurdles of the individual federal states as well as the cities and municipalities often mean that Sunday shopping hours are not even applied for – out of fear that the required reference to the event is not sufficient and might be overturned in court at short notice, says general manager Rolf Pangels.

He calls for the eventual benefit to be abolished. “Trade now needs clear and practical framework conditions instead of bureaucratic hurdles.” Pangels believes that up to four Sunday openings per year in most cities make economic sense and are affordable for employees. “For attractive locations, I can also imagine 10 to 12 Sundays.”

What speaks against it?

The Verdi union rejects any relaxation of the regulations. “Sunday is the only day off that can be reliably planned for employees, on which there is time for physical and mental relief in this strenuous job,” says board member Silke Zimmer, responsible for trading.

Longer opening hours leave less and less space for family, friends and volunteer work and would neither bring in more sales nor make city centers more lively. “They are a strong instrument in the cut-throat competition between the large retail groups,” says Zimmer. The result is even more desolate inner cities with the same chains.

That’s the legal situation

Shops generally have to remain closed on Sundays and public holidays. The regulations for Sunday opening are set out in the Shop Closing Act and vary in the federal states. There is a maximum number of Sundays open for shopping, which must be linked to an event.

Some countries have recently adapted their laws. In Schleswig-Holstein, shopping in small supermarkets without staff will in future be permitted in rural areas on Sundays and public holidays. In Thuringia there have been explicit regulations for small 24-hour shops for several months. They are allowed to open on Sundays, but only without staff.