Croatia bans Sunday shopping for most retailers

Croatia has decided to ban shopping on most Sundays of the year, starting July 1, 2023. The new Trade Law took effect this past weekend, and it allows retailers to choose only 16 Sundays per year when they can open their stores, while the rest of Sunday shops will remain closed.

The government aligned the retail operation hours with much of the EU, saying that it wanted to "make it possible for retail employees to spend Sundays with their families". The move has been welcomed by some trade unions and religious groups but criticized by some business associations and consumers, who fear that it will reduce their shopping options and hurt the economy.

There are a few notable exemptions to Sunday working hours. The law will not apply to retail stores that are part of airports, bus and train stations, ferries, hotels, gas stations, or museums, which will be able to operate normally on Sundays. Most retailers are expected to use their 16 exemptions during the summer season, when Croatia attracts millions of visitors from around the world. Furthermore, shops will stay closed on official state holidays, of which there are 14 in Croatia.

Croatia is not the first European country to impose restrictions on Sunday shopping. Countries such as Germany, Austria, and Switzerland have similar rules, while others, such as France and Italy, have more flexibility. The Croatian government said that it was following the example of other countries that have "successfully regulated" the issue.