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Retailers welcome Bunbury Sunday trading - ARA calls on WA Govt to lead Perth into modern world

Peak retail industry body the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has welcomed Commerce Minister Troy Buswell's decision to respect the City of Bunbury's right to open Sunday trading for general retailers.

ARA Executive Director Richard Evans said that while Bunbury enters the modern world, retailers in Perth are still operating in the confines of draconian and archaic trading laws.

"We congratulate the Minister Buswell on his approach of allowing retailers to enjoy self determination in relation to opening hours. This is great news for retailers in Bunbury.

"It's just a shame that in Perth - an extremely transient city with an international airport - consumers with cash in hand are denied the ability to shop or have a relaxing stroll through their local shopping mall on a Sunday yet Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Darwin and Hobart are afforded this convenience.

"We all live in a 24/7 economy with not only the expectation of flexible trading hours and convenient access to products and services, but also the requirement for flexible and casual working hours. Sunday trading will provide small retailers with more opportunity for sales and create employment for students and other casual workers.

"In this time of difficult trading - any move from the Government to remove restrictions and red tape around trading hours is welcomed by retailers. We call upon the new WA Premier to follow Bunbury's lead and really listen to the messages from both retailers and consumers.

"Sunday trading supports the modern worker, the modern consumer and the modern small business owner - to deny it is to deny Perth from entering the modern world. We say to Premier Barnett listen to the community not sectional interests and move Perth into the modern retail world," Evans said.

For over 104 years, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has been the peak industry body in Australia's $292 billion retail sector which employs over 1.2 million people. As an incorporated employer body under the Workplace Relations Act and with a range of member services including business consulting, policy development, advocacy and education, the ARA promotes and protects over 5000 independent and national retailers throughout Australia. Visit www.retail.org.au or call 1300 368 041.

For interview opportunities with ARA Executive Director Richard Evans contact:
Kath Christie, ARA Policy & Media T: 0422 293 544 E: kath.christie@retail.org.au

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