The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) praises the South Australian (SA) Government's decision to offer suburban retailers the opportunity to trade on Easter Monday. Suburban retail stores operating across SA will now be able to open their doors from 11am to 5pm- if they elect to do so.
Russell Zimmerman, Executive Director of the ARA said the decision made by the SA Government, will grant retailers the chance to trade on Easter Monday and assist in leveling the competitive retail playing field.
"The decision made by the SA Government is fantastic news for local retailers who will now be able to trade on Easter Monday alongside their metropolitan and online counterparts," Mr Zimmerman said.
"This will also provide consumers living in suburban areas with greater opportunities to shop in their local area if they desire and should deliver some much-needed relief to local retailers."
As the retail industry is a $320 billion-dollar sector, employing over 1.3 million people across Australia, the ARA believes this decision will offer retail staff the choice to work on the Easter Monday.
"The Easter trading period is a busy time for retailers and employers will be looking to roster on or hire more retail staff to compensate for the increase in foot-traffic," Mr Zimmerman said.
"The decision made by the SA Government will benefit retail staff as they will have the option to work and earn extra wages if they would like to do so and make contributions to the local retail economy."
After years of constrained trading hours, the SA Government last year welcomed the extension of Boxing Day trading hours following strong demand from retailers and shoppers, who wished to capitalise on one of the busiest trading days of the year.
The move now brings SA in alignment with every other State and Territory across Australia, and the ARA hopes this decision will influence the Government to revise existing trading restrictions.
"The recent outcome carried out by the SA Government is a bold stride in not only listening to the voice of retailers and consumers, but also in eradicating outdated restrictions towards trading hours," Mr Zimmerman said.
"The ARA is delighted to see that the SA Government is a making positive step towards removing these archaic restrictions on trading hours and will continue to support the deregulation Bill through Parliament."
