In Germany, most shops are closed on Sundays, which is a well-known problem for many Germans. However, the issue is now being discussed again, after the German government plans to allow bakeries and pastry shops to stay open longer on Sundays from 2027 onwards. Originally, bakeries in some federal states were only allowed to open for a few hours, but the new regulation could permit opening for up to 8 hours.
The German Trade Association (HDE) is therefore calling for other shops to also be given the opportunity to open on Sundays. They argue that consumer behavior has changed and that shopping today is part of families’ leisure activities. In addition, Sunday opening could also stimulate the economy, as more people would flock to the cities.
Some politicians, particularly from the CDU and FDP, support this idea and believe that relaxing the Sunday rules could revitalize city centers and help brick-and-mortar retail compete with online commerce.
However, there are also opposing voices, especially from trade unions, who fear that retail workers could lose their days off with their families. They argue that it may not lead to higher overall spending, but merely to a shift in shopping days.
For Thais living in Germany, this debate is particularly interesting, as many have already experienced that forgotten Saturday purchases can only be done on Monday, unless one uses the shops in train stations, airports, or petrol stations. A change in legislation could significantly ease consumers’ daily lives, but would also require adjustments in the everyday work life of employees.
