Australia’s largest retailers have welcomed the South Australian Government’s announcement to expand retail trading hours in Adelaide’s city and metropolitan areas throughout the Christmas shopping period.
ANRA CEO Anna McPhee said moves to liberate trading hours across the Christmas period are a progressive step that would deliver employment and economic benefits to South Australian shoppers this Christmas.
“South Australia has one of the most complex and restrictive retail trading regimes in the country.
“The extension of trading hours in the lead-up to Christmas in previous years has been particularly successful – resulting in higher consumers spending for both large and small businesses as well as higher employment.
“The decision to extend trading hours for the Christmas shopping period is clearly sensible and shows an understanding of modern consumer expectations and the value of retail to the economy and its capacity to create jobs.
“Extended trading hours enable consumers to benefit from the convenience of being able to shop when they want to shop.
“Modern technology provides retailers with more channels to compete and provide consumers with more choices than ever before – it’s appropriate that the regulation doesn’t get in the way of retailers meeting the changing demands of shoppers.
“Easing trading hour restrictions over the Christmas trading period will create more opportunities for South Australian retailers to compete for the Christmas dollar,” said Ms McPhee.