The Nationals WA is aiming to extend retail trading in Perth CBD, allowing all stores to open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Trading hours across the metropolitan region will also be deregulated, with local governments being empowered to determine the retail trading needs of their own communities.
Perth traders are currently restricted to trading between 8am and 9pm from Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm on Saturday, and 11am to 5pm on Sunday.
It is the first ever election commitment targeted solely at the metropolitan region from The Nationals WA.
Party leader Shane Love said the move was necessary to allow WA’s retail outlets to compete against online retailers and would help boost the Perth CBD.
“In order for Perth to become a modern, vibrant, 24-hour-city which appeals to local families, workers, and visitors, we need to make sure our trading hours meet the needs of consumers and businesses,” Love said.
“WA’s trading hours are stuck in the past and in need of reform to give shoppers greater flexibility about when and what they purchase, while giving businesses and employees the ability to open and work when they want.
“The Perth City Deal will soon bring the Edith Cowan University’s Cultural and Creative Industries Campus to the city centre, with over 9,000 students and faculty living, studying and working in the CBD, providing further opportunity to stimulate the retail economy 24 hours a day.”
Love said extending trading hours had significant support from retailers and consumers.
“A 2021 report from the WA Chamber of Commerce and Industry found around 70 per cent of WA businesses and households want to see more freedom and flexibility around trading hours,” he said.
“Crucially, the majority of small businesses also support this move, dispelling the myth that small businesses are fearful or resistant to extended trading.”
He also acknowledged it was a departure from The Nationals’ previous stance on trading hours.
“It has been almost a decade since our Party last reviewed trading hours,” he said.
“With the rise of online shopping, higher business costs, and a need to energise the Perth CBD post-COVID, we must adapt to the needs of the modern retail environment.
“This policy will also empower local decision making, allowing metropolitan LGAs to set local trading hours just as regional communities already do.
The Australian Retailers Association was quick to respond, with CEO Paul Zahra confirming the move would be applauded by the retail sector.
“Customers expect to shop where and when they like – and they expect the same convenience in physical stores as they get online,” Zahra said. “The settings in WA are restrictive and don’t reflect the 24-hour retail economy we see around the world.
“We are now calling on the Labor government and Liberal Opposition to support this measure.”
The ARA has long advocated for the deregulation of trading hours across the country. Zahra said while these changes would mark a step in the right direction, full deregulation must remain a priority.
“These restrictions are most evident as we head into the all-important Christmas trading period when many discretionary retailers make up to two-thirds of their profits. Customers and retailers in Western Australia are worse-off because of the highly regulated trading hours” Zahra said.
“Shopping is no longer confined to brick-and-mortar stores with set trading hours. Consumers now expect convenience, choice and the ability to shop when it suits them.
“They also expect to shop the sales like Black Friday without the pressure of limited opening hours. It is time for state governments to recognise that the world of retail has transformed.”
Bateman candidate Donna Gordin also welcomed the policy, highlighting that there are no restrictions around what time shoppers can jump online and purchase goods from Amazon.
“Extending retail trading hours in other states has also been shown to boost employment, particularly for young people and women, by creating more flexible working hours on weekends and after hours,” Gordin said.