26 March, 2020

The National Retail Association (NRA) has applauded the move by the New South Wales Government to provide supermarkets with the opportunity to trade 24-hours a day, seven days a week and urged other states to follow suit.

Overnight Planning and Public Spaces Minister Rob Stokes announced an immediate lifting of restrictions on what hours supermarkets in the state can operate.

NRA CEO Dominique Lamb said that following unprecedented demand for essential items the measure would help supermarkets better service people across New South Wales.

“Cutting red tape and offering greater flexibility on trading hours will enable supermarkets across New South Wales to better supply consumers during this period of upheaval,” Ms Lamb said.

“24-hour trading will assist by spreading out the time available to shoppers to buy groceries and provide supermarkets with greater freedom around special shopping periods for the elderly and those operating in essential services.

“This measure does not force supermarkets to open 24 hours a day, rather it provides the maximum amount of flexibility to ensure that shelves stay stocked and shoppers can get what they need.

“The NRA applauds the New South Wales Government for their decisive action and we urge all other state governments to follow suit. The challenges being faced are uniform across the country and all states should be providing ultimate flexibility to supermarkets as they attempt to service higher than usual consumer demand.”