Premier Colin Barnett has tipped Sundays to become the main shopping day of the week as many retailers across Perth opened their doors to new Sunday trading laws today (Sunday 26th August).
Mr Barnett said one of the high priorities on his to-do list had finally come to fruition as stores across Perth would have the luxury of opening from 11am until 5pm on a Sunday.
It’s been perceived as a giant step forward for the city, keen to keep in line with its eastern states counterparts.
Flanked by his Commerce Minister Simon O’Brien, Premier Colin Barnett told a media scrum at Karrinyup Shopping Centre that retailers need only wait half-an-hour to reap the benefits of Sunday trade.
"There is no doubt that West Australians are voting with their feet," Mr Barnett said.
"And very quickly Sunday shopping will become the main shopping day of the week, if not already.
"It’s very significantthat not only the supermarket and major chains, that here, at least at Karrinyup, all the small shops are open."
Mr Barnett said the near half-filled shopping centre was testament to the views of the community and retailers.
He said that in the lead-up to the warmer months, shopping centres would build and maintain high patronage.
"You will find that people will do a lot of their shopping on Sunday," he said.
Mr Barnett said he believed Sunday trade for small business would be sustainable, as the extended trading hours would give consumers the opportunity to spend money.
"Particularly in areas like fashion or electrical items and furniture, that’s an opportunity to take your time and look at separate outlets, for husbands and wives to go out together," Mr Barnett said.
"You will find they will open and it will go well."
Mr Barnett said the biggest winners in Sunday trade would be double-income families.
"Choice is there and the important thing is, this is choice for consumers of Perth," he said.
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