Belgium scraps mandatory shop closing day and extends trading hours
Shops in Belgium will be allowed to stay open until 9 pm every day, and the mandatory 24-hour weekly closing day will be abolished. The federal government is set to formally approve the change at Friday's Council of Ministers meeting, VRT NWS reported.
Brick-and-mortar retailers, such as clothing stores, electronics shops and supermarkets, are currently bound by strict rules. Except on Fridays, they must close by 8 pm and they are required to shut for 24 hours once a week. Online shops, by contrast, are accessible at any time, which gives them a significant competitive advantage.
It is that disparity that has prompted the government to act. The relaxation of trading rules was already a commitment in the coalition agreement, and was announced last summer. The formal approval is now expected on Friday, according to VRT.
Employees protest changes
Most major retail chains have welcomed the move and intend to make use of the new flexibility. But employees appear less eager to embrace the changes. On Thursday, Aldi announced it is considering opening its Belgian stores on Sundays, prompting spontaneous strikes of the company's employees across the country.
Smaller, self-employed shopkeepers also seem wary of the change. The Neutral Union for the Self-Employed (NSZ) has come out against the reform, arguing it would mean higher operating costs and longer working hours without a meaningful increase in income. "For multinationals, this is a gift; for small self-employed people, it is a poisoned chalice," the union said.
"For multinationals, this is a gift; for small self-employed people, it is a poisoned chalice"
Small Businesses, Self-Employed and SMEs minister Eléonore Simonet has dismissed those concerns. "Even now, not all shops make use of the option to stay open until 8 pm. Nothing will change for them; they can still close at 6 pm," she said. "But for retailers who feel at a competitive disadvantage compared to online shops and foreign competitors, we are removing the obstacle."
© BELGA PHOTO NICOLAS MAETERLINCK
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