How other countries treat their day of rest

Last updated at 10:30 15 June 2005


This is how Sunday trading is regulated around the world:

GERMANY: Federal Constitution Court last year upheld laws which impose a total ban on Sunday trading.

FRANCE: Technically allowed, but laws barring the employment of workers mean there is a de facto ban.

SPAIN: Government allows only four Sundays a year though regional authorities can permit additional trading.

SWEDEN: Abandoned regulation of trading hours in 1984.

NORWAY: No Sunday opening other than self-service shops not larger than 100sq m.

ICELAND: No regulation of Sunday trading. DENMARK: Stores allowed to open on nine Sundaysa year though this is likely to increase to 20.

ITALY: Trading allowed but with regional restrictions and in practice only large stores in major cities open.

UNITED KINGDOM: Stores greater than 280sq m may open for six hours but must remain closed on Easter and Christmas Day.

PORTUGAL: No regulation of Sunday opening.

BELGIUM: No regulation of Sunday opening.

POLAND: No regulation, which has led to an influx of German shoppers on a Sunday.

HOLLAND: Deregulated after it found businesses were suffering when compared with European neighbours.

USA: Trading is allowed though the level of regulation varies state by state.

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