Overview
- The federal coalition has already agreed to extend Sunday hours for bakeries, confectioneries and libraries from January 2027, a move that has accelerated calls for broader change.
- Trade associations HDE and bevh cite acute distress in stationary retail and an HDE summer survey showing 79 percent of firms report weak demand and 42 percent rate business as poor.
- The DIHK has proposed clarifying Sunday rules through a Basic Law change to settle legal uncertainty while the union Verdi strongly opposes wider openings on grounds of workers’ rest and reliable free time.
- Fast‑growing low‑cost platforms such as Temu and Shein are credited with a large share of recent online growth, increasing price pressure on shops even after July customs surcharges on some Asian imports.
- Public opinion is split and state rules already vary widely on 'verkaufsoffene Sonntage', leaving the debate to hinge on legal, social and regional tradeoffs that will shape any future reform.