Austria Discusses Extending Supermarket Opening Hours to 80 Per Week Austria is currently hotly debating supermarket opening hours. The head of REWE Austria, Marcel Haraszti, has called for extending store operating hours to 80 per week, up from the current 72. He believes the right to work longer during the week would benefit both bus... Topics: Daily Life, Transport.

Austria Discusses Extending Supermarket Opening Hours to 80 Per Week

Austria is currently hotly debating supermarket opening hours. The head of REWE Austria, Marcel Haraszti, has called for extending store operating hours to 80 per week, up from the current 72. He believes the right to work longer during the week would benefit both businesses and customers, while keeping Sundays as a day off for employees. The initiative has already gained attention, and many in the retail sector support it.

Interestingly, more than 580 out of roughly 2,000 municipalities in Austria do not have a local supermarket. This points to a strong demand for container-based self-service stores that could meet the needs of residents. However, these stores are currently forced to operate under the same restrictions as traditional supermarkets, creating additional challenges for local communities.

Meanwhile, Haraszti insists that the retail sector often faces harsh criticism, especially during economic downturns. Despite being short 2,600 employees, he is confident that the industry as a whole is showing positive momentum. Still, the decline in supermarket popularity amid high prices and inflation is making many people think about the future of the sector. The question of opening hours is becoming relevant not only for business owners but also for consumers who need more flexible store schedules.