Closing supermarkets on Sundays became popular in many European countries in the 1960s. The goal was to stimulate people to spend more of their free time with their families in nature, theaters, sports activities and so on.
“The experience in France is that the closing of supermarkets gives the opportunity to local small producers to sell their products more. These are small markets, local small shops, local products that have short supply chains and very short shelf life,” LBTU leading researcher Sallija told LTV Lilac.
Some European countries have refused to close supermarkets on Sundays, but not all.
In France and Great Britain, supermarkets are only allowed to work for a few hours on Sundays. Meanwhile, in Poland, Germany, Austria, Spain, Belgium, Slovakia, Greece, Switzerland and Norway, supermarkets are closed on Sundays. Croatia has also joined the list of these countries this year.
There are countries where only stores whose owners are also sellers can work on holidays, there are countries where supermarkets can only work in cities popular with tourists.
“Poland’s experience is very much related to religious issues, so that more people can participate in religious processes that take place on Sundays. They have left only some shops open – post offices, gas stations, shops near airports and hotels, where tourists circulate more,” said Sallija Ceriņa.
In order to find out the shopping habits and possible actions of Latvian residents, a group of scientists from the Latvian University of Biosciences and Technologies is currently conducting a study on the impact that closing supermarkets on Sundays in Latvia could have on society and the national economy.
Among the benefits, it is usually mentioned that it could have a positive impact on the competitiveness of small producers, as well as create a better work-life balance for store employees.
“Is that so? We cannot say at this time. The study is ongoing. During the study, we take into account the interests of all parties involved in retail. We conduct deep, detailed interviews with representatives of retail stores, they are known as large chain stores. We have approached and very we hope that we will also get more interest from small producers,” revealed LBTU researcher Līga Proškina.
Four years ago, a study was conducted in Lithuania, what would happen if all retail stores were closed one Sunday a month, as well as on holidays. In total, that would be 28 days in a year when shops are closed.
“The results were that the working hours of all employees would be reduced by 224 hours per year on average, as well as the total salary would be reduced by 1.5 months. Also, the fact that it would not be very beneficial for consumers, because 70% of the population still shop on holidays, therefore residents and consumers were not very happy about this idea,” said LBTU researcher Aija Pilvere.
The experience of many countries regarding the closing of shops on Sundays is very different.
A group of scientists from the Latvian University of Biosciences and Technologies wants to find out the opinion of the Latvian public on this issue.
“We strongly invite our residents in all regions of Latvia to fill out the food purchasing habits survey of residents until the end of September,” invited LBTU researcher Līga Proškina.
The data and conclusions obtained in the study will then be at the disposal of the Ministry of Agriculture, so that further policy in this matter can be developed.
CONTEXT:
In order to stop the rise in food prices, the minister of agriculture of the previous government proposed closing the doors of supermarkets on Sundays in the summer, which would encourage a greater fight for lower prices on weekdays, but would allow small, local businesses to earn money on Sundays. The prime minister at the time, Krišjānis Kariņš, was skeptical about such a plan.
Food prices rose, and in the summer compared to last year, the increase exceeded 20%. After that, the price increase slowed down, but the growth continued anyway, and in August, the year-on-year increase in food prices reached 8.2%.
It was food prices that had the biggest impact on overall inflation in Latvia since May, in August annual inflation decreased by one percentage point compared to July, reaching 5.4%, while food, alcohol and tobacco account for half of the remaining price increase.
The Agricultural Market Promotion Center states that the highest food price point was at the end of last year and at the beginning of this year. Now food prices are falling because global prices are also falling, but this is hampered by a lack of competition.
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2023-09-27 05:44:18
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