Industry questions plan to extend opening hours

The current Trading Act works just fine and does not need to be changed.

This is the view of Handilsvinnufelagið (the Retailers Union) regarding the trade ministry’s plans to extend the opening hours for grocery stores.

Handilvinnufelagið is not happy with the provision that authorises local councils to allow stores to extend their trading hours during local festivals and major tourism events, arguing that these terms are far too vague and need further clarification.

One solution, the union argues, would be to give local councils the authority to decide when special permissions can be granted.

The union also says that only allowing grocery stores to extend their opening hours is an anti-competitive measure.

If the aim is to liberalise the law, this should apply to the law in its entirety, and not just a selected few traders, the union says in a press release.

The statement adds that rather than allowing shops to trade on Sundays during December, all stores should be allowed to trade Sundays throughout the year.

The Retailers’ Union suggests that instead of amending the Trading Act, it might be wiser to amend the Sunday Observance Act and then arrange shop opening hours in accordance with this Act.

Translated by prosa.fo