It’s become a key battleground as independents struggle to see off multiples, says James Durston
It’s almost 11 years, to the day, since the Sunday Trading Act 1994 came into force. By restricting the hours during which large retailers can open, the law provided a degree of protection for independent retailers on what has become their busiest trading day.
But the big boys have not given up in their efforts to have the restrictions lifted - much to the dismay of the independents who sit on our reader panel, 80% of whom said any such relaxation would damage their businesses.
And that level of concern was reflected among the retailers we spoke to during a recent visit to the Premier Wholesale (UK) cash and carry depot in Harrow.
Sunday opening was an every-week occurrence for all the traders we met. It’s the busiest day for some, and others feel it is vital in guaranteeing customer loyalty.
Maria McCarthy runs Maria’s Food and Wine in Watford. She says: “We have to open on a Sunday just to survive. It’s just that little bit extra that gives the customer the knowledge that they can go somewhere if they need something.”
Although McCarthy wouldn’t like to see the laws relaxed further for supermarkets, she does say that her shop’s positioning means it wouldn’t affect her business if they were. “We are situated in a residential estate, so the people there need us.”
Pravin Nathwami of Nathwami’s Food and Wine in West Kensington opens from 7am to 8pm on Sunday to cater for customers who want newspapers.
He says: “The laws should definitely be tightened for the supermarkets. Sunday is our busiest day because after 4pm, when the supermarkets close, the customers come to us. If they were allowed to open for any longer, it would severely hurt us.”
For Nallathamby Jawakumar, who runs Avenue Wines in Greenford, business over the weekend is excellent, but he fears what might happen if another supermarket were to open close by. “Normally my whole week’s income comes from the trade I get on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.”
His shop opens from 10am to 10.30pm, and he thinks that the laws as they stand are operating to the detriment of independent traders. There should be at least one day a week when independents can trade without excessive competition from the multiples, he says. “They are definitely damaging our business. If I didn’t have to compete with them I could be doing so much better.”
Premier Wholesale UK is doing its bit to support its independent retail customers through the ‘am2pm’ initiative, by which it offers deliveries, drop shipments and store planning services.
80%
It’s almost 11 years, to the day, since the Sunday Trading Act 1994 came into force. By restricting the hours during which large retailers can open, the law provided a degree of protection for independent retailers on what has become their busiest trading day.
But the big boys have not given up in their efforts to have the restrictions lifted - much to the dismay of the independents who sit on our reader panel, 80% of whom said any such relaxation would damage their businesses.
And that level of concern was reflected among the retailers we spoke to during a recent visit to the Premier Wholesale (UK) cash and carry depot in Harrow.
Sunday opening was an every-week occurrence for all the traders we met. It’s the busiest day for some, and others feel it is vital in guaranteeing customer loyalty.
Maria McCarthy runs Maria’s Food and Wine in Watford. She says: “We have to open on a Sunday just to survive. It’s just that little bit extra that gives the customer the knowledge that they can go somewhere if they need something.”
Although McCarthy wouldn’t like to see the laws relaxed further for supermarkets, she does say that her shop’s positioning means it wouldn’t affect her business if they were. “We are situated in a residential estate, so the people there need us.”
Pravin Nathwami of Nathwami’s Food and Wine in West Kensington opens from 7am to 8pm on Sunday to cater for customers who want newspapers.
He says: “The laws should definitely be tightened for the supermarkets. Sunday is our busiest day because after 4pm, when the supermarkets close, the customers come to us. If they were allowed to open for any longer, it would severely hurt us.”
For Nallathamby Jawakumar, who runs Avenue Wines in Greenford, business over the weekend is excellent, but he fears what might happen if another supermarket were to open close by. “Normally my whole week’s income comes from the trade I get on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.”
His shop opens from 10am to 10.30pm, and he thinks that the laws as they stand are operating to the detriment of independent traders. There should be at least one day a week when independents can trade without excessive competition from the multiples, he says. “They are definitely damaging our business. If I didn’t have to compete with them I could be doing so much better.”
Premier Wholesale UK is doing its bit to support its independent retail customers through the ‘am2pm’ initiative, by which it offers deliveries, drop shipments and store planning services.
80%
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