Debate on Sunday shopping in France likely to be delayed until January 2009

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A new bill that would clear the way for stores to open on Sundays under certain conditions, is likely to be delayed until the New Year. 

The text was due for parliamentary debate this Thursday, but strong socialist opposition to the audio-visual bill currently being debated, means that parliamentary time is running out, with the housing bill of Christine Boutin also vying for a slot before Christmas.

The new law will permit under certain conditions the stores in towns and agglomerations of more than one million in population (Paris, Lyon, Marseille and Lille), to open for business on Sunday.

The text has already been tweaked to include clauses that prevent food stores from opening on a Sunday afternoon (in an attempt to protect the business of small local stores), and also to re-affirm that employees cannot be forced to work on a Sunday, with employers who contravene this rule risking sanctions.

The bill has attracted opposition from religious and political circles, and in a recent survey by study group Le Credoc, many people stated they would prefer later opening hours during the week rather than opt for Sunday opening.  However, the survey concluded that a small majority were in favour of the new law.

If the bill is delayed this week, it is likely to enter the National Assembly in early January.