Germany's Sunday rest tradition clashes with economic competitiveness push

Germany's longstanding Sunday closure is being challenged as the country looks to boost its competitiveness against Chinese imports and online shopping. There’s a lively debate among lawmakers and retailers about whether this century-old regulation, which is protected by the Basic Law, is still applicable in today's economy. Business groups argue that the recent federal updates to working hours aren't enough since store hours are still determined by the 16 federal states. In mid-July, Peter Adrian, who heads the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry, called the law outdated and suggested that retailers should have the option to operate on Sundays. For many newcomers, adjusting to this Sunday shutdown can be quite a cultural shift, with most supermarkets closed apart from a few exceptions.