Economic Development Minister Lyndon Farnham lodged the amendment on Friday, and it is thought that the move could affect up to 30 shops which have more than 700 sq m of floorspace.
According to a document outlining the move, UK-based mail-order food-delivery service HelloFresh was also now providing locally based food retailers with meaningful competition and that Sunday trading needed to be allowed to provide local businesses with a more even playing field.
It added that in 2018 Growth, Housing and Environment officials carried out a survey, with 63% of those taking part wanting shops to open on Sundays. Meanwhile, respondents from the Island’s working population expressed a clear preference for retailers to open from 10am to 4pm on Sundays, all year round.
The report also said that during the previous year, Visit Jersey carried out a similar survey with visitors and found that tourism would benefit if more shops were open on Sundays.
Also included in the potential new legislation is a clause which would allow larger petrol stations – with over 700 sq m of retail floorspace – to open between 10am and 4pm on Sundays, Liberation Day and Good Friday. The amendment also addresses employment law considerations, including the potential for an employee opt-out scheme which is currently in place in England and Wales.
However, with the limited number of retail workers in the Island, it is thought that rather than having this measure, employers should be motivated to liaise with their staff and react to their needs rather than risk losing them to other businesses.
The issue of how Sunday is a recognised non-working day for Christians has also been looked at. However, the report highlights that other religions with a presence in the Island attach significance to other days.
The amendment is due to be debated on 22 October.
