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S U B S C R I B E
Monday, 18 June, 2012
Zurich voters throw out longer shopping hours
Shopaholics were dealt a double-whammy on Sunday after voters in the cantons of Zurich and Lucerne rejected the idea of longer opening hours. In Zurich, 70 percent of voters said “no” to shops being allowed to open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Over in Lucerne, a slimmer majority said “no” to stores being allowed to stay open an hour later on Saturdays. This means they’ll continue to have to close at 4 p.m. Sunday’s votes are the latest in a long line of defeats for supporters of more flexible trading hours. So why are the Swiss so against the idea of late night or even Sunday shopping? WRS’s Dave Goodman talks to Beat Kappeler, an economist and commentator:
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Comments
Total comments: 1 | Add to the discussion.
You have to admire a man who believes that shopping is a waste of time and money. It’s much better to be hiking in the mountains or relaxing in a spa, agreed. But evidence suggests that shopping in downtown Geneva (and other larger Swiss cities) remains a popular pastime, given how packed the stores are on Saturdays (the only day available for such activity for most people who work during the week). Kappeler fails to mention the impact of unions representing shop workers, who consistently campaign against Sunday openings and longer opening hours.
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