Milk was empty on Sunday and it was impossible to buy more. Amendments to the law regarding shop opening hours are now intended to remedy this. “Not everyone has cows or a gas station near them,” said Schleswig-Holstein Economy Minister Claus Ruhe Madsen in the state parliament in Kiel.
According to the CDU politician, the aim is to create a legal basis for small supermarkets without staff that expands current regulations. In future, supermarkets with a maximum sales space of 350 square meters will be allowed to open on Sundays and holidays if they are located in communities with a maximum population of 2,500 people. Madsen explains: “All this only applies if sales staff are not deployed on Sundays and holidays.”
Opposition: Courage is gone
For the opposition, the amendment to the law is not significant enough: For FDP lawmaker Bernd Buchholz, there should be no rules regarding the size of premises or markets for supermarkets open on Sundays. The difference is that the market runs completely automatically and therefore does not interfere with Sunday rest.
Because this is about a grocery store and not a jewelry store or clothing store. “And I just believe it would be good if people were braver with laws like that,” stressed Buchholz.
SSW MP Sybilla Nitsch also criticized restrictions on supermarket sizes and said the debate often lacked “reality”. He doubts that opening a fully automated market on Sundays will generate more income: “If you don’t make enough profits six days a week, then the seventh day won’t help much.” Additionally, businesses that are unable to automate can be left behind.
The SPD is concerned about legal review
For MP Kianusch Stender (SPD), the question is also whether a bill in this form can survive legal scrutiny. The Social Democratic Party is ready to introduce a bill that solves real problems in the countryside. “But if you don’t have us on your side, then the law will lose its effectiveness at the first challenge,” Stender stressed.
After the vote, the bill was unanimously referred by the state parliamentary group to the Economy and Digitalization Committee. According to the ministry, the law is expected to be implemented in 2026.
Criticism from unions and churches
Beate Bäumer, head of the Schleswig-Holstein Catholic Office, called the proposed amendments a “cheap” excuse to further weaken protections for Sundays and national holidays. “It is unreasonable to assume that opening a fully automated point of sale on Sundays between midnight and midnight will dramatically increase the attractiveness of rural areas,” he explained. Finally, all sales outlets must now be open continuously from Monday midnight to Saturday midnight.
Bert Stach, Verdi-Nord regional district trade manager, criticized the growing competition in Sunday work. “This increases pressure on companies employing staff and can therefore lose sales,” he explains. Unstaffed supermarkets will have a “double competitive advantage” as a result of this bill.
Madsen: The constitutional amendment was a compromise
“In many countries, shopping on Sundays is commonplace,” emphasized the Minister of Economy. Many people also want this to happen in Germany – but some people also view this critically. Because rest on Sundays and holidays is just as important as employee protection.
According to Madsen, the law must find a compromise. This is intended to make rural areas more attractive and ensure public services. “If supermarkets are not allowed to open on Sundays without staff, this will make their survival in sparsely populated areas more economically difficult – also due to the lack of skilled workers,” the Economy Minister said.
Green Party leader Lasse Petersdotter emphasized the legal reform plans: “With what is now in front of us, we will provide more flexibility without additional Sunday work.” This will provide greater legal certainty and harness the potential of digitalization.
© dpa-infocom, dpa:251120-930-317257/3
