The decision to repeal Boxing day as a " no trading " day for major stores will get a mixed reception.
Some will welcome the chance to return Christmas presents that are the wrong size - the wrong colour - or just plain awful !
The people who have to work in those stores will surely miss what has become a rare event in this country - two continuous days off work apart from their annual holiday break.
Big business will heave a sigh of relief at the news - because times are hard and this means that they are able to compete on a level playing field. In previous years that ban only applied to major centres - places deemed " tourist areas " were permitted to open.
It all seems to revolve around the concept of a market place without restrictions versus the rights of employees to a reasonable life style. The concept of Sunday as a day of rest has long gone - and it can not be too long before some traders will want to open their doors on Christmas day and Good Friday.
What seems to be missing is the first concept of supply and demand. There is only so much money in the community available to be spent. If the shops are closed for a day this spending is delayed until they open their doors - provided that closure is universal and there is no cheating.
If Boxing day reverts to a non trading day - except for convenience shops and petrol stations - the big traders actually save a days penalty wages - and lose nothing in the volume of overall sales - and the people they employ get a two day break.
It seems to be a win all round situation !
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