Editorial: Let our shops open at Easter

Steve Chadwick is trying to get Easter trading laws changed.

I bought my first apartment in London on the top floor above a 24-hour metro supermarket for one of the big chains. How convenient.

All I used to keep in my fridge was wine, as every hour of the day, seven days a week, the world was my oyster ... deli counter, chocolate heaven or whatever took my fancy.

Although we do not have 24-hour shopping in Tauranga, at least we have seven-day shopping. Until, come Christmas and Easter, archaic trading laws force retailers to close.

Nothing brings me out in a cold sweat more than the thought of closed shops - even for one day.

Judging by the queues in Pak'nSave on Thursday where shoppers stocked up as though doomsday was approaching, I am not alone.

It is time our holiday trading laws were reviewed.

Holidays are the only time many working people get time to shop for new clothes or household goods.

Secondly, as a tourist city flooded with visitors for the long weekends and the school holidays, being closed on public holidays is not serving these consumers well. Taupo and Queenstown retailers are allowed to open. Why not us?

Lastly, from an economic perspective, retailers are missing out on lucrative trading. The extra costs of paying employees time-and-a-half and a day in lieu could be offset by increased turnover.

Many restaurants and cafes that choose to open on public holidays no longer have a surcharge, instead factoring costs into their annual budget. This is good business practice.

Eateries recognise that there is money to be made on public holidays, and even though they have the option to close, many are open.

Why not give retailers the same choice? If they want to remain closed they can. If they open they potentially reap increased profits from holiday crowds.

If people want a day of rest from shopping they can stay at home. But those who want to thrash the plastic would be able to. Rotorua MP Todd McClay and Mayor Steve Chadwick have joined forces to try to get Easter trading laws changed so Rotorua retailers can open.

Tauranga should do the same.