Sunday trading: why large shops open for just six hours

Why does a big supermarket open later and close earlier on a Sunday than on weekdays, while the small shop on your corner trades as usual? It is down to the Sunday Trading Act 1994, which applies in England and Wales. It limits opening hours only for large shops and leaves small ones free.

Which shop counts as large?

The line is drawn by sales floor area. A large shop is one with a floor area over 280 square metres. Anything 280 sq m or under counts as a small shop. That is why a chain hypermarket and a corner kiosk follow different rules: the restrictions only apply above 280 sq m.

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How long can a large shop open on a Sunday?

A large shop may open on a Sunday for no more than 6 continuous hours, and only between 10am and 6pm. The shop chooses its own hours (say 10am to 4pm, or 11am to 5pm), but it cannot go outside the 10am-6pm window or beyond six hours. It must clearly display its Sunday hours, inside and outside, so customers do not arrive to closed doors.

When are large shops closed entirely?

There are two days a year when large shops in England and Wales must close: Easter Sunday and Christmas Day. Small shops of up to 280 sq m have none of these restrictions and may open any hours on a Sunday. Note that Scotland has no Sunday trading law at all, so Sunday hours there are not restricted.

What are the penalties?

Local authorities enforce the rules. If a large shop opens when it should not, the council can impose a fine. Workers have rights too: retail staff in England and Wales can formally opt out of Sunday working by giving their employer written notice, and cannot be dismissed for doing so.

What does it mean for shoppers?

In practice, keep the rule in mind when you plan a big weekend shop. A large supermarket or hypermarket on a Sunday will almost always open no earlier than 10am and close by around 4pm or 5pm, whereas your corner shop may trade both earlier and later. The exact hours are always shown at the entrance and on the chain's website, so it is worth checking before you set out — especially over a bank holiday weekend, when the timetable differs from usual. And at Easter and Christmas, do not count on large shops at all: by law they are closed.

The exact requirements are always published on gov.uk and in the Act itself on legislation.gov.uk.