THE FACTS:

Western Australian Premier Colin Barnett is poised to introduce a bill to extend weekday shopping times to 9pm in metropolitan Perth.

As it stands, metropolitan Perth shopping precincts are not allowed to operate past 6pm, in contrast to other Australian states.

IGA has voiced its opposition to extended hours, because it believes Safeway and Coles would then be able to edge out smaller supermarkets.

In 2005 Western Australia voted against deregulation of trading hours in a referendum.

THE VIEWS:

Western Australian IGA president John Cummings, as reported by The Sunday Times:

“This is going to hurt independent retailers. All (Coles and Woolworths) are really doing is pushing for as many hours as they can so they can dominate the market. Nationally, Coles and Woolworths have 80 per cent of the market. In some markets – Sydney for example – (Coles and Woolworths) have close to 90 per cent of the market. In WA, IGA has 32 per cent of the market, Coles 32 per cent and Woolworths 36 per cent.”

Joe Spagnolo, for The Sunday Times:

“There are worrying signs that the only shops to open late will be Woolworths and Coles supermarkets.

And even they have said they can’t see much sense in a new shopping hours policy that allows them to open until 7pm instead of 6pm.

Myer has already said it won’t be staying open late because it won’t get the patronage.

According to Myer, if Perth was really serious about rejuvenating itself, it would open its shop doors in the suburbs and the central business district on Sundays as well.

Realistically, neither Labor nor the Liberals should be selling a few extra shopping hours on weeknights as anything special.”

BREAKING IT DOWN:

A) WA should get in line with the rest of the country by adopting extended trading hours.

Not only will there be a boost to employment, but the convenience factor will be of great benefit.

B) Sales data should be monitored by the government in the first couple of months to make sure Coles and Woolworths are not dominating smaller rivals.

Fairness is also important. Keeping competition alive is the best way to keep prices down and keep people in jobs.

WHAT’S YOUR OPINION?

Should WA adopt extended trading hours?

Will there be some sort of cultural fallout or impact from extended trading hours?

Is dominance of the supermarket industry by Coles and Woolworths going to be a problem?