In a South Australian first, retailers across the Adelaide CBD and suburbs will be given the opportunity to trade until midnight on Friday, November 29 to capitalise on the burgeoning popularity of ‘Black Friday’ sales.
Treasurer Rob Lucas has granted the Ministerial exemption under section 5 of the Shop Trading Hours Act 1977 in response to strong demand from consumers and will allow bargain-hunters to “shop ‘til they drop” and get a head-start on their Christmas shopping.
Black Friday – the day after Thanksgiving in the United States – is becoming increasingly recognised in Australia as the unofficial start of the holiday season and, as such, has prompted many local retailers to choose this day to launch their early sales.
“We know there is an enormous groundswell of public support for extended shop trading in South Australia and the burgeoning popularity of Black Friday sales here is a fantastic opportunity for consumers, retailers and employees alike to capitalise on that demand,’’ said Mr Lucas.
“This will be a welcome shot in the arm for local bricks and mortar businesses as they compete with the rapid rise in online sales.
“The Government wants to continue to drive positive economic and jobs growth and this move – while entirely optional for retailers and their staff – will generate additional sales while creating valuable employment opportunities for those people who’d like to work.
“Black Friday also coincides with the first day of the day/night Test match at Adelaide Oval, so city retailers will be able to capitalise on the influx of thousands of interstate and international visitors here for the cricket.
“While the Labor Party, led by former Shoppies union boss Mr Malinauskas, wants to stymie freedom of choice and keep retailers’ doors firmly closed, the reformist Marshall Liberal Government will keep fighting for the right of South Australians to shop, work and trade when they choose.”
Westfield Shopping Centre at Marion will trade until midnight on ‘Black Friday’, while the Rundle Mall Management Authority advises many of its CBD traders will do likewise. ‘Black Friday’ is the second busiest trading day, after Boxing Day, on Rundle Mall’s calendar in terms of foot traffic.
Major department stores, David Jones, Myer, Harris Scarfe, Kmart and Big W as well as Sephora and H&M have all indicated their support for Black Friday midnight trade.
Westfield Shopping Centres at West Lakes and Tea Tree Plaza will open their doors beyond their usual 5:30pm close to 9pm.
It follows the Marshall Liberal Government’s historic exemption for Boxing Day trade in the suburbs last year, which Mr Lucas described as “a roaring success”, as well as suburban Easter Monday trade in April.
Special exemptions have also been granted in Millicent for Easter Saturday and Geltwood Festival Market Day and to Drakes Foodland at Wayville over the past two years during the duration of Royal Adelaide Show.
“Importantly, no employee will be forced to work additional hours on Black Friday,” said Mr Lucas.
“To reinforce this, the exemption – which is the same that has been used in previous years and for Boxing Day last year – contains a condition that all employees working during the extended hours will do so on a strictly voluntary basis.”
Mr Lucas said he will make a decision in the next month in relation to whether any additional shop trading exemptions will be granted over the Christmas period.
Shop trading hours for Black Friday (November 29, 2019) to be gazetted this week:
Non-exempt shops in the Greater Adelaide Shopping District are exempt between the hours of 9.00pm and 12 midnight on Friday, 29 November 2019 (Black Friday
