Strict opening hours of stores persist in Bavaria
After a vote in the Bavarian state parliament, an amendment to the existing shop closing law has been passed. The new law, which is still yet to come into effect in August, aims to adjust the regulations without ideologies or extremes, as stated by CSU politician Thomas Huber.
The new law does not offer additional benefits to municipalities, retail, and local supply, according to the Free Voters. However, they praised it as a significant gain for these sectors. The SPD, on the other hand, expressed concern for the protection of employees and local retail, voting against the proposal. The Greens and AfD abstained, criticizing the lack of provisions for implementing innovative concepts.
The new law is an adjustment to the existing shop closing law, which has been in place since 1956. Bavaria, like the rest of Germany, has traditionally allowed shopping on certain Sundays and extended hours, but these have been limited over time due to laws like the "Ladenschlussgesetz" (Shop Closing Act).
Under the new law, so-called digital mini-supermarkets without staff and a maximum of 150 square meters of sales area can open continuously, including on Sundays. Retailers can also individually open later than 8:00 PM on four weekdays per year. Additionally, municipalities can now offer eight extended shopping hours per year without a specific reason.
However, the number of sales-free Sundays has not been increased under the new law. The rules for Sundays remain unchanged: Four sales-free Sundays per year are still allowed, but only for specific events. This maintains the strictest shopping hours in Germany.
Currently, specific revised shopping hours for all supermarkets in Bavaria are not detailed. It's advisable to check directly with local supermarkets or shopping centers for any updates. The Grafenwoehr Commissary, which caters to military personnel, has specific holiday hours but is not reflective of general supermarket hours in Bavaria.
The new law brings Bavaria's shop closing regulations up to date, according to Mr. Huber, without compromising on workers' rights and community standards. The exact impact of these changes on the retail sector and employees in Bavaria remains to be seen.
The new law, implemented in August, is a revision of the 1956 shop closing law in Bavaria, affecting businesses and retail, as well as local supply. Digital mini-supermarkets can now operate continuously, including on Sundays, but the number of sales-free Sundays remains unchanged. Despite concerns from the SPD, the Greens, and AfD about the lack of innovative concepts, the Free Voters and CSU politician Thomas Huber praise this adjustment as a beneficial step in modernizing finance and general-news aspects of the business sector while maintaining workers' rights and community standards.
