Tesco exits Sunday campaign

The fight to stay open on Sunday's is no longer a concern for Tesco. The retailers has withdrawn from Deregulate, the lobby group set up to campaign for larger shops to be allowed to stay open longer on Sundays than the six-hour slot currently permitted. Other retail heavyweights including Next and Asda are losing a powerful ally in their efforts to remove restrictions on Sunday shop hours, but Tesco claims it is heeding the view of its customers.

Many shoppers say they don't want full deregulation, even though most are keen to see the six-hour limit extended, the company says. The Government has thrown the issue into the public arena for debate, with a change in hours, if any, unlikely to happen before 2007. Easter Sunday, at present the only Sunday where larger stores, whose with over 3,000 sq ft of trading space are obliged to close all day, is under threat if Deregulate gets its way. Small shops and convenience stores are already allowed to open all day, including Easter Day.

At present, larger stores in England and Wales can trade during a six-hour slot in the period 10am to 6pm . Northern Ireland imposes 1pm -6pm opening, but Scotland has no restrictions. Larger stores in the Republic of Ireland open from 10am to either 6pm or 7pm. Tesco, meanwhile is extending its clothing ranges for AW/06 with a new denim-led collection for both men and women, which will be going into many of the supermarket's main store in late summer.