Shoppers support Sunday trading: CCI

It’s been two years since the introduction of Sunday trading in the state and positive survey results from Curtin Business School found almost 60 per cent of Western Australians support the deregulation of retail trading hours.

“Shoppers are voting with their feet, and these results show that consumers want more flexibility on when retailers can open,” Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA chief executive officer Deidre Willmott said.

The survey found that 66 per cent of people between the age of 18 and 39 supported the full deregulation of trading hours, with the majority of those surveyed over the age of 40 were in favour of scrapping restrictions on opening times.

“The introduction of Sunday trading in Perth has increased the vibrancy of our city and provided retailers with a better opportunity to meet their customers’ demands,” Ms Willmott said.

According to the survey, 82 per cent of Western Australians have shopped on a Sunday since the introduction of Sunday trading, with 66 per cent visiting the shops on a Sunday at least once a month.

Ms Willmott said online retail sites were changing the shape of the industry as most products can be ordered online at any time, which has pushed more retail shops to offer both options to customers.

“Modern shops are adapting to this new competition,” she said.

“The retail sector is an important contributor to the liveability index and these reforms are needed if we are to improve our standing.”