Shops closed or open? In the last week, the debate has returned to the center of national attention, after the announcement by Deputy Prime Minister Di Maio that “by the end of the year” liberalization will be abolished introduced at the end of 2011 by the Monti government, which eliminated any restrictions on the opening of shops.
The five bills presented by the majority and the opposition will be analyzed by parliament from Thursday 13 September, but based on Di Maio's statements, the government will push to establish limits and shifts.
the controversies, between for and against, there is no shortage of foreign countries, considered more civilized, more "innovative", more…
The reality of the facts, however, is that there is no common law and that even crossing the Alps, the debate on the Sunday openings of shops and shopping centers continues to hold sway.
Generally speaking, second a report from the Bruno Leoni institute, 16 out of 28 EU member states have adopted full liberalisation. Among them there is also Italy. On the other hand, 12 countries limit openings to certain times and activities, while nowhere is there an absolute ban on openings.
Speaking of the big capitals, the shutters stay up everywhere even at Londonwhile a Paris you can go shopping easily in the tourist areas of the city, but you might encounter some problems elsewhere. TO Madrid there is absolute freedom of opening on Sundays and holidays, while a Berlin everything remains closed except for ovens, newsagents, shops in stations and airports and museums.
In case you would like to use an EU country as an example to support your thesis, we provide you with a quick overview:
- Scandinavian countries: almost total liberalization in Sweden, Denmark and Finland.
- Spain: since 2012, shops can remain open 90 hours a week and at least 10 public holidays. There are no limits in the tourist areas (14 in all), but the situation varies from region to region. As mentioned, shops remain open in Madrid, except on New Year's Eve, Christmas, January 6 and May 10. Everything is closed in the Basque Country, while in Barcelona the shutters remain open on 5 public holidays, plus another XNUMX Sundays in tourist areas. Shopping centers open in Valencia.
- France: There is also much debate about Sunday openings in France, with the majority wanting to promote greater liberalization. In general, shops are open in international tourist areas, as well as in large commercial areas located in the suburbs. For the rest, as the Bruno Leoni Institute explains, “the principle of Sunday rest for employees applies. Only shops owned by the owners can freely remain open". However, there are exceptions for grocery stores (which can stay open until 13pm on Sundays). Each mayor can then decide on Sunday openings, with doubled remuneration for the employees of the various activities.
- Germany: shutters closed, except for bakeries, florists, newsagents, home improvement stores, museums, railway stations, petrol stations, airports and places of pilgrimage. You can choose 6 Sundays a year to stay open, but with special protections for workers: 4-hour shifts, guaranteed recovery day and the possibility of refusing to work by giving advance notice.
- UK: no UK restrictions with shops open every day including Sundays.
