Restriction of open hours of supermarkets on weekends without arguments based on tangible data is impossible, said Latvian Minister of Economics Ilze Indriksone in an interview to TV3 programme 900 seconds on Thursday, the 27th of April.
In February Minister of Agriculture Didzis Šmits said his ministry will propose a legislative draft to limit the open hours of large supermarkets, similarly how it is in Germany, Switzerland and France. This measure is intended to assist with the survival of smaller shops, caterers and countryside markets.
In April he said the ministry continues its work on the legislative draft.
“We definitely see a risk for competition and free market restriction in a time when the economy is slow and every kind of activity is a treasure. This is a very large risk,” said Indriksone when asked to comment on her colleague’s proposal. The minister said that without arguments based on tangible data, such a proposal is not possible.
Latvian countryside tourism businessmen – representatives of Countryside Tourist – have announced they support he proposal to close supermarkets on Sundays. This would force a large number of residents to change their habits, bring change to the economy and require alternatives. At the same time, by closing down supermarkets on Sundays, the revenue for the state and businesses should not go down, as people’s needs won’t change.
The association is also confident that by creating appropriate conditions, the closure of supermarkets on Sundays could help revitalise small shops in local areas, where residents would be able to purchase locally-made products. This would be especially helpful to producers whose products are not sold in supermarkets.
Latvian Traders’ Union – manager of LaTS network of stores – board chairman Raimonds Okmanis mentioned that closure of shopping malls on weekends would be a half-step towards revitalising smaller stores.
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