ECONOMY

Stores to get greater say in Sunday trade

The Economy Ministry is planning to reduce government control over the operation of commercial stores on Sundays.

According to sources, the ministry’s plans foresee the government having a say in no more than three Sunday openings per year, with the rest to be decided by regional authorities in cooperation with the local authorities and traders’ associations, depending on the needs and customs of the local community and businesses.

Minister Giorgos Stathakis has repeatedly said that it should be the regional and local authorities and the merchants themselves who should decide on which Sundays stores can open.

The main idea is to have stores open on the last couple of Sundays of every year and the Sunday before Easter. This contrasts with the seven Sundays per year that the current legislation provides for.

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