(PR.co.nz) With Easter now behind us, the Department of Labour is reminding retailers they must also close on Anzac Day until 1pm.
The Shop Trading Hours Act Repeal Act 1990 specifies three-and-a-half days each year in which most shops must close – Christmas Day, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, and until 1pm on Anzac Day.
If a business does not fall into one of the exempted categories under the Act – or is not in an area that has an exemption issued by the former Shop Trading Hours Commission – it is an offence to open and trade during any time the law restricts trading. The owner or occupier of such a shop may be prosecuted and fined. Retailers can contact the Department of Labour for information on how the Shop Trading laws apply to their business.
As a result of inspections over Easter, a number of retailers around the country were found to be open on Good Friday when they should not have been. Most were garden centres, although there were also three music stores. On Easter Sunday, further retailers were found to be trading in Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Hawke’s Bay, Wellington and in Christchurch. The Department will be taking action in respect of these retailers.
For more information, please see the shop trading fact sheet on the Department of Labour’s website: http://www.ers.dol.govt.nz/factsheets/shop_trading_restrictions.html
Media Release 20 April 2010 from Department of Labour.
Telephone 0274 422 141
Email media@dol.govt.nz