The loosening of trading restrictions for hypermarkets and supermarkets in France has been extended after the country's senate passed legislation regarding the legality of opening on Sundays, according to Le Monde.
The bill, which was initiated by economy minister Emmanuel Macron, will see grocers gain the right to open on 12 Sundays of each year in a decision which was supported by all major French political parties, with the exception of Le groupe communiste, républicain, citoyen, which commented that the legislation is "not acceptable".
Included in the approved law is the stipulation that employees must receive double pay for Sunday work.
Le Monde reports that many retailers regard the loi Macron as a resolution against an outdated culture of trading.
It is also advantageous economically at an auspicious time: France and Italy have bolstered eurozone growth during the first quarter of 2015.
© 2015 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Peter Donnelly.
