Retailers continue to face difficult trading conditions. Tesco in Woolwich have reduced their hours as competition across retailers continues to gather pace. Despite these facts, the Government have become obsessed with increasing Sunday Trading Hours.
The Sunday Telegraph have suggested that shoppers are keen for longer hours. They give the impression that the current “restrictive ” Sunday Trading laws are holding back progress. Some local authorities suggest that retailers who open their doors for longer hours on Sundays will help boost the economic recovery.
But the reality is that profits in many cases are falling through the floor. Some major retailers are attempting to reduce payment for staff working on Sundays.
So called Sunday working protection means little or nothing to Shopworkers according to their Trade Union USDAW. A survey of ten thousand staff confirms that 30% want to work less on a Sunday. 55% of staff say they are all under pressure to work Sundays.
Sunday opt out is not working as a result of pressure from management. Clearly Shopworkers need family time as much as anybody else.
There is also cause for concern that a large number of corner shops will be under immediate threat of closure if this ill considered policy is implemented.