France to look again at ‘never on Sunday’ curbs on shopping

French law has established Sunday as a mandatory day off to help ensure rest and the quality of life - although some retailers like those in tourist areas get exemptions. Critics say the protections have gone too far, crimping modern lifestyles and putting France at a disadvantage with rival nations.

Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault met government ministers on the subject after a court ordered two hardware chains to close 14 of their stores on Sundays – and their employees erupted in protests.

He announced that a former head of Paris’s transport authority and the state-run postal service will report on the complex issue by late November – hoping to defuse a labour crisis as workers and the jobless struggle through France’s economic slump.

“(The) government notes that Sunday rest is an essential principle in terms of protecting workers and social cohesion” while recognising that “the existence of Sunday work is a reality,” Mr Ayrault’s office said.

Many Roman Catholics and labour groups agree that “Never on Sunday” is a mantra to maintain when it comes to work. Still, the law, which dates back to 1906, has fanned sporadic debate.

Last week, a court ordered the Leroy Merlin and Castorama hardware chains to close their Paris-area stores on Sundays. Rival Bricorama had sued to make sure they did not get an unfair advantage and the court concurred.

But employees at the affected stores were among those complaining the loudest over the ruling, insisting that Sunday store hours give them extra pay and suit customers who find it hard to shop during the work week.

For a variety of reasons – notably that some wrested a last-minute waiver from the government – the stores will temporarily stay open on Sundays, although the issue is far from resolved.

The current debate stems from a 2009 move by then-president Nicolas Sarkozy’s center-right government that eased back curbs on Sunday store openings. The efforts faced political opposition and resulted in a mish-mash of legal waivers, special-zone exemptions and other loopholes.

Most French shoppers are used to the country’s Sunday rhythm: Shopping is restricted to tourist areas or owner-operated, small shops. Restaurants are exempt.