Labour law requires employers to pay their staff much more on Sundays - therefore making it less attractive to open on Sundays - so, in high season, the extra business may be worth the extra expense - but that's just Spain. Other EU countries simply prohibit it without paying a special permit with strict restrictions.

Not to mention that there is a limit to the number of hours anyone is allowed to work, and furthermore, it's almost impossible to let them go if business takes a dive or they refuse to do their job, or even steal from the employer. Very difficult and expensive, and only makes potential employers fearful of hiring anyone unless they absolutely need it.

If labour laws were less restrictive, then employers would not be afraid to hire more people - and also work on sundays if they chose - which means there would be more jobs, more income feeding into the population, and hence, more spending.

One of the reasons why Germany has such low relative unemployment is that labour law is not nearly as restrictive as Spain, they have no statutory minimum wage, and it's not so complicated to lay them off or fire them if neccessary, so employers are not as afraid to hire...

Maybe I'll have to educate myself on Sunday shopping laws in Spain as I got the impression it was unlawful throughout Spain to open on Sundays.

As for your second point if stores, shops and so on were to open then it would generate employment and add a wage which would then be used to buy goods which in turn would generate more employment.. bit of a circle

A few random points:

Many shops open in Spain on a Sunday so if there is a law saying they can't then it's either not that simple or they are flouting the law (and I can't believe OPENCOR would do that).

Tesco and all the rest in the UK wouldn't open on a Sunday if it wasn't worth it - but that doesn't mean the same would apply in Spain.

Just because the shops are open doesn't mean you have to use them.

there are relaxations for small shops to open on Sundays, so long as they comply with the laws.
but that is why they employ family, even my local bar in Granada employed the daughter when she wasnt at local uni.
the Chinese shops all appear to be family,

I have heard elsewhere that there was a law back in 2004 or 5 requiring businesses to operate 9-5 and not take 3-4 hour lunches. But small family businesses were exempt. Have tried to find the reference to this so would appreciate any help from those who have long term businesses here.

so saying, wanted to top up at Movistar, they were open 1000 - 1400 and 1700 - 2030.

Well, that explains why the Chinese shops are open all day, every day. "Family" business.

I find siesta quite frustrating at times. You need something, but everything is closed. Hmmph. My first thought is always "you apparently aren't interested in my business", although I do know it's a longstanding cultural tradition, and I should just get used to it.

By the way, we do shop the Chinese shops often, largely because they're open, and prices on some things are very good. Some of the stuff they offer I wouldn't buy at any price, though.

The Chinese shops aren't open all day every day where I live (a town of 75,000 people) - they close for siesta and don't open on Sundays. Apart from a few Sundays coming up to Xmas, the only shops open here on Sundays are some bakeries and a few small family run grocery shops or fruterias.

No - Opencor is a very large chain of quite big shops - no way they employ only family. They are open 18 hours a day 365 days a year and in non-tourist areas. The law (if indeed there is one that applies) is not about small shops or family run shops nor tourist areas. They may be a special case I suppose - special licence or something - but I'm wondering if shops can open on a Sunday if they want but choose not to.

I was told that shops under a certain sq m could open on Sundays if they sell certain essentials such as bread or newspapers

certain 'tourist' shops in tourist areas can open regardless

one of chinese bazaars has been stopped from opening on sundays - apparently because it doesn't meet any of the criteria

it is the Spanish weather that has lead to the way of life and the curing of meat.
however, nowadays they have fridges, freezers and the air con unit so other products are finding their way into the house. taking 3-4 hours doesnt necessarily make any sense in shops and offices and as the country is progressively getting more business from within the Eu the need to communicate when the client is around is something that is keeping them from going home.
When in Milan I found the shops open in the evening and the locals would dress up, take the wife on the arm and go for a promenade, meeting friends, having a coffee and grappa.

Its a cultural thing that we from the frozen North do not understand, and it is their country to do with as they wish, we wouldnt take kindly to being told when to open our shops.

and Chinese shops - yes some very good low priced products inthere amongst the rubbish. with a population of 5000 we have one that seems to want to emulate Arkwright's.

several weeks ago there was an article in one of the English newspapers on the CDS about Chinese traders making representation to the Junta. They see that as a restriction of trade and ISTR there also being something about non-Spanish not being allowed a liquer licence (???)

As far as I'm aware, unless it's changed recently...
The supermarkets are allowed to open on twelve Sundays in the year, at least that was the law some years ago, but it may be different now.

Exactly, that is the same all over Spain

And in Malaga province, shops are allowed to open on Sundays during the summer tourist season. In Barcelona nothing was allowed open on a Sunday.

Madrid have just passed a law allowing Sunday trading. The small business owners interviewed on the news were all against this. They say they cant afford to employ anyone else and Sunday trading doesnt bring any extra money. They said the law favours big businesses as they can afford to hire more people, so people then stop going to small businesses because they arent open on Sunday.

In London I loved the covenience of the shops being open on Sunday, but after 5 years here in Spain I like not having the option to go to the shops. It forces you to be imaginative, plan trips out and spend time with the family

plenty of Brits get liquor licences!!!

that is what I thought, but it was in a paper that I am not sure I have and in UK at the moment so cannot check
don't know what restrictions there are on a liquor licence, too interested in the savouring not the selling

I am not sure that there is only so much money spent Ever gone into a shop for one thing and spent loads I once popped into Boots for a shampoo and spent about £50! Sort of impulsive shopping.

Sundays may benefit the shops who sell all the stuff you don't need but have to have leisure shopping, like people who wander around garden centres and buy a pot plant.

On the CDS the shops are open from approx July to mid September, except Mercadona.