The South Australian Government has confirmed extended trading hours for Adelaide-based shops during the upcoming Christmas season. Stores will be permitted to remain open until midnight on three specific weekdays leading up to Christmas. These dates are Thursday December 19th, Friday December 20th and Monday December 23rd. Traders will also benefit from midnight hours on Black Friday, which falls on November 29th this year.
The extension of trading hours comes as part of the previously implemented Shop Trading Hours (Extension of Hours) Amendment Act 2022. This legislation not only allows for extended hours during significant sales events and the Christmas season but also standardizes Sunday openings from 9am and permits Boxing Day trading across suburban Adelaide, a change from previous years when only the CBD could trade on Boxing Day.
These decisions were made following consultations between businesses, and unions aimed at boosting retail activity without compromising workers’ rights. Importantly, workers retain the right to refuse work on Sundays and public holidays, ensuring that the extension of trading hours does not impede upon personal time and commitments.
Kyam Maher, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector shared, “As we head into another busy Christmas trading period, South Australians can be assured there will be three days of midnight trading, allowing shoppers time to grab those last-minute Christmas gifts,” Maher said. He also noted that these measures are intended to provide certainty and flexibility for both consumers and retailers during the hectic Christmas period.
From a commercial perspective, the Adelaide Economic Development Agency’s Executive Manager for Rundle Mall, Andrew White, spoke about the economic boost that longer trading hours are expected to bring. “The countdown is on until Christmas and we expect November and December to be the two busiest months of the year for Rundle Mall,” White commented. “We know South Australians love the opportunity to shop, eat, drink, and have fun in Rundle Mall later in the evening,” he added.
This initiative is set against a backdrop of positive market dynamics observed in previous years when similar extensions were applied. Businesses throughout Rundle Mall and broader Adelaide are expected to capitalize on the additional trading hours, potentially leading to increased sales and opportunities for seasonal employment.
Visit SafeWork SA’s Retail trading hours page to see trading hours for all retailers in South Australia.
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