Shop open hours regulated by market

Photo: Margus Ansu / Postimees

Estonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry director general Mait Palts thinks state regulation of stores’ open hours would restrict freedom of enterprise. «In Europe, rather the opposite trend is to be noticed, with the so-called Sunday-shopping-days on the increase and major stores in the habit of introducing longer open hours.»

According to Riigikogu economic committee member Arto Aas (Reform party), state intervention would distort free competition, leading to food price rise and damage to consumer interests.

To this,  Selver and ETK (consumer associations’ central association) agree. Rimi and Maxima, however, expressed support to state regulation, saying that both consumer and entrepreneur would benefit.

According to Central Federation of Trade Unions head Peep Peterson, stores’ open hours might be regulated by the sector’s internal agreement – signed by both employees’ trade union and Estonian Traders Association, representing the companies.

«This is not just the issue of food prices or traders’ margins or our consuming habits,» said trade employees’ union chief Elle Pütsepp. «We see a deeper problem in 40,000 employees having limited quality time due to late working hours.»

Traders Association head Marika Merilai said that, in Europe, open hours are not state regulated. «Stores’ open hours are regulated by market and its needs.»