Treasurer Rob Lucas says deregulated shopping hours making positive impact on local economy, despite union concerns
The State Government has rejected a retail group’s claims small businesses are taking a financial hit from extended hours, saying it is boosting the local economy.
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The State Government insists deregulated shopping hours are benefiting the local economy, despite a retailers’ group claiming it is sending small businesses broke.
Treasurer Rob Lucas said many traders and consumers were embracing changes and taking advantage of extended shopping hours.
But the South Australian Independent Retailers group said extended trading hours had a detrimental effect on small retailers.
“People are supporting the extended trading hours … and a number of independent retailers are opening and trading,” Mr Lucas said.
In March this year, the Government announced SA shops could trade 24 hours a day Monday to Friday, midnight to 9pm on Saturday, and 9am to 9pm on Sunday.
Under the rules, traders are not obliged to open.
The changes were emergency measures to help traders cope with demand during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The exemption is reviewed every 30 days and is likely to be assessed next week following public health advice.
South Australian independent Retailers chief executive Colin Shearing said traders were getting “financially smashed” because of deregulated shopping hours.
“We need the Government to stand up for local SA-owned small businesses, local SA growers and food suppliers and SA jobs,” Mr Shearing said.
Opposition Leader Peter Malinauskas said deregulated hours were hurting small businesses and costing jobs.