The Dutch retailers association, local councils and the free-market Liberal party (VVD) are opposed to government plans to crack down on the abuse of Sunday trading laws, reports the Volkskrant on Tuesday.

At the moment, towns which can be classed as a ‘tourist draws’ can hold up to 12 Sunday shopping days a year – something which 157 of the country’s 443 local authorities have taken advantage of.
Councils think they should be able to decide themselves whether or not to allow Sunday trading. Shopkeepers say they make 20% of their weekly turnover on a Sunday, the Volkskrant said.