SMALL shopkeepers say the extension of shopping hours is a deliberate act to put them out of business.
The proposals that emerge after months of heated discussions involve the controversial subject of opening hours and product range that various shops are allowed to sell.
The proposal says supermarkets, fruit shops and groceries can stay open until 8pm from Monday to Friday and until 7pm on Saturdays through the winter. In the summer, they will close at 9pm on weekdays and 7pm on Saturdays. Opening hours will be voluntary and on Sundays they will be closed.
Confectionaries and bakeries will be able to retail, amongst others: fresh bread and pastries, dairy products and different forms of milk, cheeses and meat products without a weight restriction, non-alcoholic drinks and water, nuts, crisps, cereals etc.
Corner-shops and 24-hour shops will be able to sell magazines and newspapers in all languages as well as tobacco, telephone cards, telephone connection packs, ice and ice-creams, pre-packed dairy and meat products, coffee, stationary, greetings cards, toys and presents, CDs, personal hygiene products. Low-percentage alcohol can be sold on a 24-hour basis whereas higher percentages will be sold until 11.00pm following the issue of a licence.
Corner shops and 24-hour shops can stay open 24 hours, seven days a week, including on bank holidays.
There are many disagreements between the parties involved but they all agree on one thing: that a high fine be paid by any shop owner who violates the specified opening hours or the catalogue of products.
But Stefanos Koursaris, General Secretary of POVEK, was definitely not happy with the new proposals. When asked yesterday about his views on the matter, he said: “Supermarkets and Department Stores are trying to shut down 43,000 small businesses. These businesses constitute 60 per cent of Cyprus and involve only one person. There are only seven retail department stores and they involve 250 staff and more.
“Based on these statistics we are stating that we will stop their policies, which aim to close down the 43,000 small businesses and rule the retail trade.”
This is something small businesses are prepared to fight for, says Koursaris.
“POVEK, as an organisation, once we have the official legislation being prepared by the government, will react dynamically with all legal means, if our three basic proposals aren’t satisfied:
1. The prolongation of opening and closing hours
2. For the midday rest to remain
3. Wednesday and Saturday hours to remain the same.”
But Andreas Hadjiadamou, Executive Secretary of the Hypermarket Association, says the proposals are essential for the market. “The proposals are very important for the development and modernisation of the retail industry and that’s why we ask the Ministry of Labour to adopt them.”
Responding to POVEK, Hadjiadamou said: “It’s not a matter of size, but a matter of vision and how we see the future competition. Besides, the Hypermarket Association consists of small businesses as well as big ones. We are hoping that our positions are adopted by the Ministry.”
Labour Minister , Christos Taliadoros, said yesterday: “We have taken into consideration the opinions and suggestions put forward to us. There are other parties involved and therefore all the angles need to be assessed.”
The Minister didn’t give a specific date for the legislation.
