Call for SA to update ‘archaic’ trading hours with major supermarkets still closed on Boxing Day

South Aussies are set to spend big at the Boxing Day sales – but they won’t be replenishing their food and grocery supplies for one more day.

South Australians set to spend big at the Boxing Day sales – but they won’t be replenishing their food and grocery supplies for one more day.

Supermarkets in South Australia will remain shut on Boxing Day, despite the fact that retailers like Myer and David Jones are open for trade.

The contradiction is unique – in the rest of the country, Coles and Woolworths stores are open on Boxing Day.

“You can buy a flat screen television, but not a carton of milk,” shadow treasurer Matt Cowdrey said.

Emily Smeaton are Luke Ferry spend up big in Rundle Mall, ahead of the Boxing Day sales. Picture: Matt Loxton

According to the Australian Retailers Association (ARA), the regulation of trading hours is a state decision – one that even the supermarket chains seemed baffled by.

“It’s probably one for your state government to explain,” a spokesman from Woolworths said.

“We simply follow the government regulations,” Coles Media Relations officer Martine Alpins said.

ARA chief officer Paul Zahra called the idea “archaic”.

“It is time for the South Australian government to recognise that the world of retail has transformed,” he said.

“Historically, these laws were designed to protect the trade of smaller stores.

“However, there is no evidence to suggest this kind of restriction is helpful to smaller retailers.

“On the contrary, larger stores like supermarkets provide an attraction role within retail locations and serve as a feeder to other local stores.

“These restrictions are a major inconvenience for South Australians.

“There is no clear rationale for these archaic restrictions and more evidence of disadvantage than advantage for local businesses.”

Australian Retailers Association CEO Paul Zahra labelled SA’s Boxing Day trading hours “archaic”. Picture: Supplied

The Opposition said they weren’t advocating for a full deregulation of retail trading hours, but a further loosening.

“It’s quite bizarre that the rules Labor have placed on shopping centres across Adelaide on Boxing Day favour the sale of luxury items over everyday essentials.”

“Boxing Day is like walking into a parallel universe where we are so close, but yet so far from common sense.”

The SA government maintains that only supermarkets below 400 square meters can open on Boxing Day.

“These supermarkets are overwhelmingly small, independent and locally owned,” Industrial Relations Minister Kyam Maher said.

“These shop trading rules support South Australian businesses and contribute to us having one of the most diverse supermarket sectors in the country, not just a Coles and Woolworths duopoly.”