Sunday opening should be expanded according to my opinion because if you work you are able only on thursday to go for shopping! instead for sunday maybe a weekday could be given as a day off.

By kos | June 12, 2009 9:52 AM

Based on my very limited knowledge on economics, longer opening hours from shopes can at least generate more sales volumn; and as more trades take place, more GDP will be booked to the government, also more cash will be injected to the economy which it is lack of for almost 2 years till now. All is nothing but counter-recession. Since this country's top economists are predicting the anual GDP will shrink about 5%, why prohibit shops/manufacturers from making some extra profit especially in this bad time? Horrible red-tape has already plagued many government organs, taking the example of IND to say the least. This country, albeit prosperous in every respect, is losing its edge as a nation tradionally focused on trading and transportation. Shops in China open from 9am till 9pm or 10pm 7 days a week and that's why China is enjoying an 8% GDP growth every year.

By Bi Sheng | June 12, 2009 11:54 AM

Stores and Malls have been open 7 days a week over here in the USA for many years. Mon-Sat they open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sun. usually 12 noon - 6 p.m. It does not stop anyone from going to Church/or whatever services. Some grocery and BIG retail Stores (like Walmart, etc) are open 24/7.

By lb | June 12, 2009 2:47 PM

Take a lesson from my favorite store, Walmart. They are open 24/7 except on Christmas. That is the only day they are closed. Even in OUR HORRIBLE economy over here, Walmart is thriving. Be open on Sundays. Stay open until at least 9pm. NL needs the money. Encourage people to shop by making it more convenient to do so.

By The Cat Lady | June 12, 2009 3:09 PM

I there should be concern shown as a country slides towards a 24 hour culture. I think longer running hours do increase a business's sales volume, but it also effects the wage to profit ratio negatively, which leads to diluted wages for workers in the long run.

The US has basically created a working welfare class with it's 24 hour culture. A bi-product of spreading commerce over longer hours is that business's that are not open the extra hours are no longer able to compete, as the commerce is spread over a longer time period.

Anyways, there's a big difference between allowing Sunday shopping and having 24hour walmarts everywhere ;)

By Amsterdamned | June 12, 2009 4:17 PM

Please, the idea of reducing Sunday shopping because of religious ideas is absurd. I work all week, approximately 60 hours per week, and often also on Saturday. I am not able to shop on Thursday evening nor usually on Saturday. I only do all my shopping on Sunday. As a result I only patronize shops that are open on Sunday. If Sunday shopping is abolished, I guess I do not get to eat anymore. I think the discussion is on the wrong topic. We should be discussing whether shopping hours should be extended! Or even better just let the shops decide. Government should not be enforcing religious laws on everyone.

By matt | June 12, 2009 4:32 PM

religion and politic should NEVER mix, these zealots are destroying your fine country

By adhd | June 12, 2009 4:59 PM

Nice that money trumps the Top Ten Commandments, even for the Christian right.

By Stephen | June 12, 2009 5:15 PM

That religion and politics should never mix is not at all correct. If I were a politician, I don't need to jettison my religious beliefs while doing my job. The separation of religion and state was meant to ensure that the government never dictates its ideas on the church, making it a state church.

Personally, I am opposed to Sunday shopping for a number of reasons, namely: 1. My personal religious beliefs. 2. I like to see people having at least a family day together 3. Giving people an extra day to shop does not give them extra money to spent - so whether there is economic value is arguable. At best, it will provide for a different economic mix.

However, I can understand why people with different or no religious beliefs don't feel the need to adhere to the sabbath laws as described in the Bible.
I have no problem with that. Even if Sunday shopping is available, as a Christian, I am not forced to participate.

By KenM | June 12, 2009 10:05 PM

Having principles is a problem when money is involved.

By Geuzen76 | June 13, 2009 1:25 AM

As a European living in the United States, I do have to say that the shopping situation here is kind of extreme. Nobody needs stores (shops) that are open 24 hours. However, I do think that stores being open on Sundays and late during weekday evenings is a good idea.
Even inside Europe, Dutch store opening laws are some of the strictest. When you have a full-time job, Dutch opening times can be very inconvenient.

By Keith Beker | June 13, 2009 8:49 AM

The idea that government is trying to enforce Sunday as a sacred day should ring some alarm bells for many people, especially Christians, and especially Christians who observe the true sabbath- Saturday.
In any event, shops do not need to go the way of US large city culture by being open 24 hours- that is the extreme, albeit convenient. However, limited opening hours on Sundays are useful since not everyone keeps Sunday as their holy day of worship, not everyone is religious, and in the end it is good for the economy. Retail really is trying to capture the widest section of the population- everyone.
24 hrs on Sundays is not the way to go, but neither are strict Sunday laws. Christians should be very concerned about this slow attempt by government to dictate the day of worship for all, under the guise of economics. There is more to come.
eyes wide open!

By Caren | June 14, 2009 4:45 PM

Monday to friday the shops, medical services, government departments etc. are open when working people can not visit them. Let them have sunday off to be with their families, and give workers a chosen day off during the week to visit the shops, medical services and government departments.

By jaycee | June 14, 2009 10:10 PM

Holland and a lot of western europe had a nice thing going by not going 24/7. Don"t follow Wal Marts example they destroyed a lot of towns. Where do people get the brainy idea that being open 24/7 makes more money.
Do not use US as a example because they are so far up the wassoo in debt you do not want this in Holland.
Family first, People second, coummunity third. 24/7 buisness down the chart.

By John.Tamming | July 6, 2009 3:11 AM

Don't be a monkey see monkey do. Think about you're families and the environment that Sunday shopping is not helping. We have more traffic on our roads and light on in these business's 24/7. Time to start a new trend a ban on all Sunday shopping!

By Tony Lohnes | July 6, 2009 4:53 PM

If Holland relaxes its Sunday laws you will live to regret it . You still have something special in Holland where families sit down to eat several times per week - that is because people are home and you haven't adopted this crazy 24/7 shopping culture because once you let Sunday shopping become the norm it will very quickly be supermarkets etc will be open until 10pm and later this will destroy something very special you have and the cost is high to your quality of family life. Please don't do it .

By Elaine Lowe | July 26, 2009 11:46 AM