Vic: Easter trading laws cost retailers millions in lost sales

AAP General News (Australia)
04-21-2003
Vic: Easter trading laws cost retailers millions in lost sales

A retailers' group says new Easter Sunday trading laws that banned shops from opening
in Victoria yesterday cost the state's retailers more than $100 million.

BRIAN DONEGAN, head of the Australian Retailers Association in Victoria, says the new
laws are flawed and most traders will never recover the lost trade.

He says the state government's sending the wrong message to consumers, tourists and retailers.

Under the laws, shops could only open yesterday if they employ fewer than 20 people
or if they fall into the exempt category which includes milk bars, petrol stations and
news agencies.

Businesses which flout the law risk prosecution and fines of up to $10,000.

A police spokesman says there were no complaints of alleged breaches.

AAP RTV kh/gfr/dl/jmt

KEYWORD: EASTER TRADING (MELBOURNE)

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