Shopkeepers back earlier closing times on Sundays
Shopkeepers and staff support an idea to shut larger malls at 18:00 on Sundays. As no store wants to give another an advantage, industry members want the state to step in and regulate.
Guido Pärnits, the head of Ülemiste shopping center, one of the largest in Estonia, told Eesti Päevaleht that no store wants to be the first to shut and currently many staff members are waiting in empty shops instead of spending time with their families.
“Lets draw up state legislation that on Sundays, say at 18:00, stores of a certain size should not be open. I do not support a situation where on Sunday evening at 22:00 one is not able to buy milk or chewing gum, but supermarkets, shopping centers – should they really be open that late,” Pärnits said.
Estonian Traders Association chief Riin Savi said the association's members support earlier closing times. She said this would alleviate on big problem the shop-owners are currently faced with, namely the shortage of staff.
Traders said this would not lead to sackings.
Marko Põder, of grocery store chain Rimi, said Estonian consumers are demanding and expect stores to be open until late.
Editor: J.M. Laats