The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has welcomed the South Australian Government’s draft legislation to extend trading hours on Sundays as a positive move forward for retailers and consumers across the state.

The draft legislation announced by Premier Peter Malinauskas will allow shops in Adelaide to open two hours earlier at 9am on Sundays. If passed, the legislation will also lock in trading hours for Boxing Day, with shops across metropolitan Adelaide allowed to open from 9am to 5pm.

ARA CEO Paul Zahra said the proposed changes are a small but significant step in modernising South Australia’s outdated trading hour regime.

“The ARA has spent years advocating for more flexible trading hours in South Australia, so today’s announcement is a positive move forward for our members, and for consumers as well, who’ll benefit from extended trading on Sundays,” Mr Zahra said.

“The 11am opening time on Sundays only serves as a handbrake on the state’s economy. Moving this time forward to 9am is a welcome improvement and brings South Australia in line with other jurisdictions.

“While the ARA supports the full deregulation of shop trading hours, so retailers can trade and customers can shop when they want, today’s announcement is still a significant step forward given the previous failed attempts for trading hour reform.

“The ARA strongly supports the draft legislation and looks forward to contributing to the South Australian Government’s consultation process.

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About us: The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) is the oldest, largest and most diverse national retail body, representing a $400 billion sector that employs 1.3 million Australians and is the largest private sector employer in the country. As Australia’s peak retail body, representing more than 120,000 retail shop fronts and online stores, the ARA informs, advocates, educates, protects and unifies our independent, national and international retail community. To learn more about ARA’s exclusive member benefits and more, visit retail.org.au