sunday shopping news and archive

Extended Sunday trading blocked

The government has blocked a proposal by a group of big retailers to get Sunday opening hours extended. Ministers will announce that they see no reason to bow to the demands of a vociferous lobby led by Asda, B&Q and Ikea. A statement could come as early as next week. Senior Whitehall officials say the government originally supported the move...

Fashion

Retailers clash on Sunday Shopping

Some of the UK's largest retailers are posed to renew their fight for Sunday deregulation amid signs the government is cooling on its plans to allow big stores to open longer on Sundays. Deregulate, the campaign body backed by Asda, Next, Kingfisher and Ikea has appointed Good Relations, the lobbyists, to orchestrate a new offensive. The move...

Fashion

Sunday shopping laws retain popularity

MPs from across the political divides have overwhelmingly rejected the complete relaxation of Sunday trading hours in a survey for retail union Usdaw. The survey conducted by independent analysts Communicate Research found that 78% of MPs questioned rejected the idea that Sunday trading should be completely liberalised and there was almost...

Fashion

Shop workers prefer Sundays off

More than 90% of shopworkers have rejected any extension to Sunday trading hours as the Department of Trade and Industry launches a consultation on this issue. The survey of over 500 shopworkers by retail union Usdaw found that 92% of shopworkers reject any relaxation of the present rules that allow big stores to open for six hours on a Sunday....

Fashion

Sunday Shopping Still Growing

Shopping habits have changed since Sunday trading hours were introduced. Ten years after its deregulation, a full relaxation of the law seems to be in order. The Sunday Trading Act became law on August 29 1994, allowing major retailers to open for up to six hours a day. Sunday has become, after Saturday, the second biggest shopping day of the...