In a South Australian first, the Marshall Liberal Government has announced it will give all retailers in suburban Adelaide the opportunity to trade on Boxing Day.
Treasurer Rob Lucas has made the decision to grant the special exemption under the Shop Trading Hours Act 1977 in response to “strong demand” from consumers and retailers and will capitalise on an influx of tourists during the holiday season.
The move, which brings South Australia in line with other states, will enable suburban stores to open their doors from 9:00am to 5:00pm on Wednesday, December 26 – if they choose.
Shop trading hours on Boxing Day will also be extended in the CBD by an additional two hours, so they can open from 9:00am instead of 11:00am.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for South Australian retailers and consumers who, for far too long, have been crying out for extended trading on Boxing Day beyond the CBD,” said Treasurer Lucas.
“We know the Christmas period is one of the biggest and busiest for retailers and the interstate experience tells us trading on Boxing Day can generate significant additional sales, while creating valuable employment opportunities for those staff who’d like to work.
“There are, of course, also many tourists in Adelaide at that time of year and everyone is familiar with the popularity of Boxing Day sales in the CBD, with crowds queuing from early in the morning for the chance to shop ‘til they drop.
“The government’s view is why shouldn’t families in Elizabeth, Noarlunga, Port Adelaide, Tea Tree Gully and Marion have the same opportunity and freedom to shop as families near the CBD?”
Mr Lucas wrote to stakeholders, including representatives of industry and employee groups, in September, seeking their views on extended shop trading hours for non-exempt shops (supermarkets greater than 400sqm and shops greater than 200sqm) for the Christmas period.
A number asked for Boxing Day trading. No response was received from the SDA.