03 February 2014
Islanders are being invited to give their views on a trial to allow larger stores to open on Sundays.
A consultation white paper has been issued by the Economic Development Department which proposes changing the current Sunday trading legislation to allow all businesses, regardless of size, to open. The change would be for a trial period of 18 months.
Since 2011, when the law was changed, Jersey shops have been able to trade on Sundays unless they are larger than 700m². The decision to amend the legislation was made following public consultation and responses to the Jersey Annual Social Survey which both demonstrated support for a relaxation of the Sunday trading rules.
Changing economic environment
Economic Development Minister Senator Alan Maclean said that, three years on, the economic environment had changed enormously.
“The retail industry in Jersey finds itself under even greater pressure from multi-national companies boasting significant economies of scale, and the changing lifestyle demands of technology savvy customers. Against the backdrop of a near doubling of high street shop closures between 2012 and 2013, we are seeking to assist the retail sector by removing barriers to trading on Sundays for the trial period.
“This trial is one aspect of a broader package of initiatives which has been created as part of Economic Development’s retail development programme which is designed to support the retail sector in Jersey while recognising that consumers’ lifestyles are changing and that retailers need to be able to offer them more flexibility and choice,” he said.
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