Small retail shops in Western Australia will soon be able to have more people working at the one time after the State Government announced changes to the Retail Trading Hours Act.
Commerce and Small Business Minister Simon O’Brien announced the amendments at the weekend, which will increase the staff cap from 13 to 18.
He says the changes to be introduced to Parliament this week will be welcomed by both businesses and consumers.
“Allowing small retail shops to have up to 18 staff working at one time will give existing stores the flexibility to employ more people and expand their operations, while at the same time provide other stores with the opportunity to become small retail shops and trade 24/7 if they choose,” he says.
“Relaxing the staff cap will assist about 7,000 small retail shops in WA by providing more flexibility and helping them to improve customer services, the range of goods available and to be more competitive.
“Relaxing the staff cap will assist about 7,000 small retail shops in WA by providing more flexibility and helping them to improve customer services, the range of goods available and to be more competitive.
The increase to the staff cap is expected to spark a number of new applications for small retail shop certificates, which will boost choice for consumers and employment in the sector.
“Limiting staff numbers to 13 at small retail shops proved to be too restrictive for some stores and this law change, in response to that problem, fits in with the government’s aim to foster small to medium-sized businesses and, in turn, stimulate the economy.
“The government has already provided incremental reform of retail trading hours by extending weekday trading to 9pm and expanding the number of special trading precincts, measures delivering greater choice and flexibility to WA consumers.
“These reforms keep pace with the changes in urban lifestyles and working hours in recent years and provide meaningful benefits to the many busy families and individuals who are finding that traditional shopping hours no longer meet their needs,” adds O’Brien.
“Limiting staff numbers to 13 at small retail shops proved to be too restrictive for some stores and this law change, in response to that problem, fits in with the government’s aim to foster small to medium-sized businesses and, in turn, stimulate the economy.
“The government has already provided incremental reform of retail trading hours by extending weekday trading to 9pm and expanding the number of special trading precincts, measures delivering greater choice and flexibility to WA consumers.
“These reforms keep pace with the changes in urban lifestyles and working hours in recent years and provide meaningful benefits to the many busy families and individuals who are finding that traditional shopping hours no longer meet their needs,” adds O’Brien.
The staff cap was originally four when the Retail Trading Hours Act was introduced in 1987 and was last increased from 10 to 13 in 2006.