South Australia's existing 'dog's breakfast' shop trading laws would have forced suburban retailers, including shopping centres and supermarkets, to stay shut for 6 out of 10 days over the critical Christmas/New Year trading period.
This would stymie the state's strong economic growth and reduce job opportunities for hundreds of young workers, as well as deny families the freedom to shop closer to home when it suits them.
As a result, Treasurer Rob Lucas has granted special exemptions under the Shop Trading Hours Act 1977 to allow all shops – regardless of their size or location – to capitalise on the expected surge in retail demand over the festive season, including from fully-vaccinated interstate visitors.
And for the first time, all suburban shops will be able to trade on New Year's Day from 11am to 5pm (in addition to the CBD, which is already permitted to trade until 5pm).
The extended trading schedule kicks off on November 26, with midnight trade on 'Black Friday' –one of the busiest trading days on Rundle Mall's calendar – in the city and suburbs, only 3 days after South Australia's border restrictions ease.
Black Friday – the day after Thanksgiving in the United States – is becoming increasingly recognised in Australia as the unofficial start of the holiday season and, as such, has prompted many local retailers to choose this day to launch their early sales.
"Christmas is coming early for retailers right across the city and suburbs, with a surge in spending activity expected from late November with the easing of border restrictions," said Mr Lucas.
"This will mean that not only South Australians will be hitting the shops, but they'll be bringing along their (fully-vaccinated) family and friends from interstate, as well as other permitted visitors who have been desperate to come and travel to SA.
"After more than 18 months of COVID, where many local businesses have been struggling to stay afloat – and pent-up consumer demand, particular from NSW and Victorian consumers after their long, arduous lockdowns – there's never been a more critical time to roll out the welcome mat and give our retailers the opportunity to trade.
"It's simply not right that suburban retailers should be forced to shut for 6 out of 10 days over the Christmas/New Year period."
Recent Commonwealth Bank data (November 2) shows 'spending across the nation continued to gather pace' last week (the first week in many months where no state or territory was in lockdown), with national spending up 20 per cent on the same week in 2019.
The Australian reported last week that the easing of lockdowns in Sydney and Melbourne led to a $150 million daily spending surge.
The extended trading schedule would enable shops to open for a marathon 66-hours straight in the lead up to Christmas, if they choose, (from midnight Wednesday December 15 to 6pm on Saturday December 18).
Mr Lucas said he had again granted an exemption to allow all suburban shops to open on Boxing Day, in addition to the CBD, from 9am to 5pm, which has proven extremely popular over the last 3 years of the Marshall Liberal Government.
"We know if ex-Shoppies' union boss Mr Malinauskas and his union mates get their way, it will be the end of Boxing Day sales in the suburbs," said Mr Lucas.
"But our view is, and has always been, why shouldn't families in Harbour Town, Marion, Tea Tree Plaza, Elizabeth, Colonnades and Port Adelaide have the same opportunity and freedom to shop as those who live close to the city?
"If traders want to trade, consumers want to shop and there are employees willing to work, then our silly shop trading laws shouldn't stop them."
Mr Lucas said all employees working during these extended hours will do so on a strictly voluntary basis.
Shop Trading hours to be gazetted today:
Black Friday (November 26)
Non-exempt shops in the CBD and suburbs are exempt between the hours of 9pm and 12 midnight on Friday, 26 November 2021.
Pre-Christmas trade
Non-exempt shops in the CBD and suburbs are exempt between the hours of
- 9am and 11am on Sundays, 28 November, 5 December, 12 December and 19 December 2021
- 9pm and 12 midnight on Thursday 16 December, Friday 17 December and Thursday 23 December
- 5pm and 6pm on Saturday 18 December and Sunday 19 December
Boxing Day – Sunday December 26
- Non-exempt shops within the CBD can open 2 hours earlier from 9am to 5pm
- Non-exempt shops across the suburbs can now trade between 9am and 5pm
Monday December 27 and Tuesday December 28
- Non-exempt shops within the CBD can open 2 hours earlier from 9am to 5pm
- Non-exempt shops across the suburbs can now trade between 9am and 5pm
New Year's Day – January 1
- Non-exempt shops within the suburbs can trade from 11am to 5pm
- Non-exempt shops within the CBD are already permitted under the Act to trade until 5pm
Sunday, January 2
- Non-exempt shops in the CBD and suburbs are exempt between 9am and 11am
Monday, January 3
- Non-exempt shops within the CBD can open 2 hours earlier from 9am to 5pm
- Non-exempt shops across the suburbs can now trade between 9am and 5pm
