How did you spend Easter?
To be more specific were you able to spend at Easter or did trading laws impact on your ability to shop and be entertained over the long weekend?
In New Zealand there are 3 ½ days each year when almost all shops must remain closed. Two of these fall over the Easter period.
Is it an important time of year and one that warrants putting retail and entertainment ideas on hold or are our trading and liquor laws out of touch with the beliefs of the majority?
Whether it be garden centres wanting to open, cinemas wanting to be able to continue to serve a glass of wine to moviegoers, or pubs wanting to sell alcohol without requiring customers to order ‘substantial meals, do current laws stop us making free choices?
Shouldn’t decisions to trade be determined by the retailer?
At one of the busiest times of year is having shops shut and trade restricted a waste of revenue generating potential?
Shouldn’t Easter be a time where people should be able to work and shop if they want to or have a holiday, but not be forced into either or is there something to be said for laying down tools together and having time to rest and reflect, whatever our beliefs may be?
Most other holiday weekends still allow fairly unrestricted trading. Is it time for a change?
What do you think?
tvnz.co.nz/national-news/cinema-tripped-up-new-liquor-law-5933172?ref=newslettermorning www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/9951183/Garden-centres-snub-Easter-law It is proposed that current trading restrictions be removed for Good Friday and Easter Sunday