Sunday opening becomes law
Parliament voted on Wednesday through a bill to change retail market regulations and introduce the option for stores to open on Sundays under certain conditions, despite opposition from unionists, who marched in central Athens late on Tuesday, as well as the Church of Greece.
The text prepared by the Development Ministry, providing for the opening of all stores on seven Sundays per year, was amended to the effect that deputy regional governors will decide on the Sunday opening of local shops with an area of up to 250 square meters, while franchise stores are also included among those that will be allowed to open on Sundays.
Supermarkets and retail chains are excluded from the measure.
The new law also provides for the introduction of two new sales periods – one in May and another in November – in addition to those in January-February and July-August.
