Foodland Thebarton gets permission to trade longer, as independent grocer group campaigns against reform

A FOODLAND store in Adelaide’s western suburbs has been given a special exemption for more weekend trading, a move the State Government says proves widespread reform is needed.

• Opposition Leader says expanded Sunday trading is ‘dead’

A FOODLAND store in Adelaide’s western suburbs has been given a special exemption for more weekend trading, a move the State Government says proves major reform is needed.

The Government will miss a self-imposed deadline of introducing legislation to Parliament to deregulate shop trading hours within 100 days of taking power.

The plan would allow earlier Sunday trading, longer weekend shopping and suburban stores to open on public holidays.

When debated later this year, the plan faces likely defeat as the crossbench locks in with a campaign from independent grocers that claims they would lose out to the “big guys”.

However, Mr Lucas said the exemption to Foodland Thebarton was “a good example of why change is required” and ran counter to the Independent Retailers’ claims about deregulation.

The exemption was requested by Foodland Thebarton owner Karl Jamal on the grounds that ongoing council roadworks in front of his supermarket had severely affected the store’s trade.

Mr Lucas said it was understood to be the first time an individual retailer had won exemption for this reason, and he had powers to change hours for a “specified shop” or “class of shops”.

Foodland Thebarton owner Karl Jamal.

Treasurer Rob Lucas.

The 900 sqm store, which is too large to escape existing trade regulations, can now open for an additional 8 hours per week — 9am to 11am on Sunday and 5pm until 8pm weekends.

Mr Lucas said Mr Jamal “wrote to me desperate for help” to keep the store running.

“He has reported a significant downturn in trade since the roadworks began at the end of last year and he was afraid he’d have to close his doors altogether before they were complete,” Mr Lucas said.

“Mr Jamal sought … to extend his trading hours to assist his business and customers while the works were ongoing, and I considered that a reasonable request.”

“Whilst Independent Retailers representing Foodland and IGA stores have opposed plans to provide greater freedom of choice … this situation is a good example of why change is

required.

“This Foodland store should be allowed to trade when they want to, and the Marshall Liberal Government’s proposed reforms will provide this freedom of choice.”

Mr Jamal is currently on leave and the store decline to comment when contacted.

EB Games has in the past been allowed to open from 10pm until midnight on a weeknight for the worldwide launch of a popular video game.

Furniture retailer Le Cornu was allowed to open its Ashford store until 7pm on a Saturday night as part of a charity event.

The Government will introduce its legislation on July 3, meaning a final vote on the proposal could be delayed through Parliament’s winter break and to after September’s State Budget.

Mr Lucas has warned blocked reform could result in a further clampdown on trading.

Soon after the election, he charged SafeWork SA with auditing compliance with the existing regime.

Mr Lucas said that inquiry uncovered examples where “a number of stores” were trading outside the existing regulations, including “prominent opponents” of reform.

He said that included shops with large footprints which were opening beyond allowed times.

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