John Lewis boss against extension of Sunday trading

[dutchman]

Andy Street says existing Sunday trading laws are "good compromise"



The boss of John Lewis has spoken out against the prospect of extending shop trading hours on a Sunday despite moves by MPs and supermarket groups.

Andy Street, the managing director of John Lewis, said the existing laws provided a “very good balance” for staff and customers.

Philip Davies, the Conservative MP and vice-chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Retail Group, has tabled a series of amendments to the Deregulation Bill going through Parliament designed at loosening the restrictions on Sunday trading in England.

At present, large stores can only open for six hours on Sunday but there have been growing calls from retailers such as Asda and Morrisons to loosen the rules after successful trials during the 2012 Olympics.

However, Mr Street said that John Lewis, which has 41 stores across the UK, is "quite comfortable with the way it is".

He added: “Personally, I think it provides a very good balance at the moment between customers being able to shop and having a little more time to themselves and their families. I think it’s a good balance.”

Mr Street said extending hours would disrupt the retailer’s staff, as well as workers on local infrastructure such as transport.

“I think it is a good compromise,” he added. ”Remember, when the law was first set we didn’t have such a thing as online trading. We are now open 24 hours a day. Personally, I think we are well served as we are.”

Mr Street was speaking as John Lewis unveils plans to celebrate its 150th anniversary. The retailer is to open one of the largest roof gardens in London on the roof of its flagship store in Oxford Street, as well as an exhibition charting its 150-year history.

[dutchman]

The trouble is there's a huge difference between the things John lewis sells and the things Morrison's sell.

I can often only get away in the early evening but Morrison's close at 4.00pm on Sunday.

Food and drink are essential and I don't see why I should be restricted from buying them on Sundays?