Belgian supermarkets will be allowed to stay open later

Supermarkets in Belgium will be allowed to stay open one hour later, until 9 p.m., and operate seven days a week, according to multiple local news reports.

Currently, supermarkets, clothing and electronics stores must close at least one day per week and cannot operate after 8 p.m. (or 9 p.m. on Fridays). The Belgian government is expected to officially amend these rules on Friday, De Morgen reported.

A relaxation of store regulations was agreed when the current governing coalition was formed in January. Shopkeepers will now have more flexibility to choose their work hours, but will not be required to stay open until 9 p.m. or on Sundays. 

Prime Minister Bart De Wever’s government reportedly considered extending opening hours until 10 p.m., but some coalition partners were concerned that small businesses would struggle to stay open that late to compete with larger chains.

Pro-business opposition MPs said the government should have stuck with the 10 p.m. extension, while the Flemish Association of Cities and Municipalities told De Morgen that the change adds no value, as “the current opening hours are barely used to their full potential.”

The Supreme Council for the Self-Employed and Small and Medium Enterprises also expressed concerns about the additional burden new regulations would put on small businesses.