Countryboy1

Apologies in advance if there is already a thread on this topic.
My local supermarket has now revised its opening days, Monday to Saturday only. Prior to this it opened on Sunday until 1.30pm.
Inside the store there are notices that announce that with effect from 25th November, in accordance with a decree from the Valencian government, they will no longer open on Sunday.
This has come as a bit of a surprise as I was under the impression Spain was now relaxing business opening hours in an attempt to help the economy.
Anyone know what's behind this and why?

cricketman

Only in Madrid

These laws tend to be local

Pocaloca

Does this help?

Pequeño comercio y supermercados rechazan la nueva libertad horaria

Countryboy1

Yes I think so (my translation not that clear!) but thanks for that.
Do I take it therefore that my supermarket has now chosen to close on Sunday? If so presumably before this, they had to?
Again, this is surprising as another supermarket for years never opened on Sunday, but a year or so back, started to.

snikpoh

Why would a decree from the Valencian government (according to OP) affect Madrid? Or do you mean that the laws are only being relaxed in Madrid?

'Round here they've never been open on Sundays.

Dick Dasterdly

It seems that Shops in tourist areas, as decided by the authorities, will be classed as free to open Sundays, but this is not necessarilly the case elsewhere.

I was surprised to find my local supermarket is now closed Sundays.
Whilst this is not a tourist district, the local village and supermarket used to do some of their best business on Sundays from city visitors to their Valencian weekend homes which are scattered around the countryside here, so in a way they are punishing their own.

As I read it consideration is being given to small businesses who prefer to take one day off a week at least and don't want to lose out to their big brothers.
There is also some reference to moving public holidays falling on a Sunday to a Monday, though I'm not sure in what context this applies to the shops.
Maybe someone else can shed further light upon it ?

burt

I personally am enjoying getting used to finding places closed on Sundays. It's like what England used to be like before the massive Tescos etc all came along.

I think it encourages us to switch off, enjoy family time, and relax for one day.

Rosemary

My friends are amazed when I tell them that the supermarkets in the UK are open 24 hours a day. Their immediate reaction is "what about life".

Rosemary

missile

Me too, good to have at least one day without shopping.

Dick Dasterdly

"What about life ?"
Thats where it's all happening Rosemary.
I've heard it said on more than one occasion that more romances begin in supermarkets than anywhere else.
They even have singles nights at some of them.
Quite surprised at some of the hanky panky going on behind the shelves in my local UK supermarket on a Friday night.

mogsmum

totally agree with this

Countryboy1

Yes I suppose so, but so would closing for 6 days a week!
Like it or not the rest of the world is going in the other direction. I'm not saying that's a good thing, but Spain and some other European countries cannot afford to say 'stop the world I want to get off'.

billgates

Anyone can have seven days off without shopping.

Can't see anything wrong with opening Sundays. Gives people more flexibility.
And when you do have all the family round on a Sunday and suddenly run out of wine then you have the option of popping round to the shop and buying some.
Definitely a better option than the alternative of that vino del tierra (or whatever you call it) that your neighbour brews and insists on giving you.

cricketman

I am completely against Sunday shopping

There is a big culture of all the families going out on a Sunday in Spain. I love it.

I was recently in the UK visiting relatives and was looking forward to a trip out on a Sunday. We ended up at the shopping mall

Saying that, it was freezing and blowing a gale

amideislas

It seems that simply choosing not to shop on Sundays isn't sufficient for you.

Well, I don't like shopping on Saturdays (too crowded). So using the same logic, should I be in favour of a Saturday ban to prevent anyone else from shopping on Saturdays, too?

Seems to me that if nobody showed up on Sundays, then there wouldn't be any point in opening. But it seems people do like it. A lot.
So, shall we protect the public from themselves by imposing our own personal preferences (or "morality") on them?