BERLIN-
The German capital is taking the lead in lengthening Germany’s store hours by introducing 24-hour shopping Monday through Saturday and limited opening hours on some Sundays–in time for Christmas shopping.
Berlin Mayor Klaus Wowereit and tourism officials had pushed to take advantage of constitutional changes that give regional governments the right to set their own store hours. Under the new Berlin regulation, stores can remain open 24 hours during the week and from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the four Sundays before Christmas, known as Advent Sundays.
Not all stores are expected to take advantage when the new rules take effect Dec. 1, since changes in company practice must be agreed with employee councils, and some stores will likely see no advantage in later hours. Unions and religious leaders have opposed the ban. Birgit Kaessmann, the Protestant bishop of Hanover, said on ZDF public television that “we are slowly succumbing to a collective burnout syndrome.” Previously, most stores had been required to close at 8 p.m. weekdays and Saturday, and all day on Sundays.
