Peak retail industry body the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) said while the call for uniform trading hours can relieve consumer living pressures, smaller independent supermarkets will be left under the financial pressure.
The call for uniform trading hours made today benefit large chain supermarkets leaving smaller supermarkets in the dark.
Statements that greater shopping hours will address the impact from online retailers is misleading. The main user of longer shopping hours are major chain supermarkets. Online shopping impacts non supermarket retailers in the main.
ARA Executive Director Russell Zimmerman said although the ARA supports the retail industry wide trading hours, caution must be taken to keep smaller independent businesses alive.
“With the big two retailers seeking the positive side of economic growth, we must be tread carefully to not destroy smaller independant retailers. Small independent retailers will endure increased hours raising the cost of doing business, increased pressure on family businesses as owners will have to cover long hours, staff retrenchment and rises in utility costs.
“The call for uniform trading hours may assist in economic growth in the short term, however, smaller businesses will be unsustainable with the pressures it will involve, and long term may not prove to give positive economic growth” Mr Zimmerman said.
If consumers want longer trading hours, then employment costs and penalty rates must also be part of the discussion, without penalty rates being reviewed, wages and on costs will be unsustainable for the independent retailers in Australia.
Source: Australian Retailers Association (ARA)
