The Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development has put the proposal to amend the Commerce Act to public consultation. Pročitaj više

Under the proposal, retail shops would be allowed to open no earlier than 6 am and close no later than 9 pm and operate from Monday to Saturday. Generally, they would be closed on Sundays and holidays, while shop owners would be able to choose 16 Sundays a year on which they would work.

All interested parties will be able to make their comments and give their opinions on the proposal by 1 August, and the amendments would enter into force at the start of 2022.

Under the present law, retail businesses decide on their opening hours by themselves, taking into account, among other things, customers’ needs and the number of their workers.

The Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, Tomislav Coric, told Hina that some shops currently stay open until 11 pm and that the idea of the proposed amendments is to ensure more appropriate working hours.

The proposal has already provoked reactions, with some small shop owners and representatives of some business associations saying that this is totally unacceptable, especially during the tourist season.

The Croatian Employers Association (HUP) said that the proposal is problematic because “it will certainly have an adverse affect on all sectors closely connected with the tourist season, since we know that there is increased consumption in the late evening hours during the summer months.”

Given that Croatia is a tourism-oriented country and shops in small communities and tourist resorts seek to maximise their revenues during the tourist season, retail businesses would be allowed to choose on their own 16 Sundays on which they would be open, and this rule would apply to all businesses regardless of where they operate, the Ministry said.

Retail shops at bus and train stations, airports and ferry ports, on board ships and aircraft, at petrol stations, in roadside catering facilities, hospitals, hotels, cultural and religious institutions, nature parks, fairs and at public events would be allowed to work on Sundays and holidays.