Retailers reminded about Easter trading laws

Photo / Herald on Sunday

Retailers are being reminded to shut their doors for two and a half days over Easter.

Shops must close on Christmas Day, Good Friday, Easter Sunday and until 1pm on Anzac Day every year, under the Shop Trading Hours Repeal Act 1990, the Department of Labour says.

This year Anzac Day falls on the same day as Easter Monday and businesses which are not exempt from the Act must not open until 1pm.

Some exemptions applied to ensure certain types of essential services and shops remain open in places where people may be travelling through, said Lesley Haines, the Department of Labour's deputy chief executive.

"Any retailers uncertain about whether they are able to open on these days should get in touch with the Department before the Easter period. Information is also available on our website," Haines said.

"Any shops who do not comply with the Act and are not exempt risk being prosecuted by the Department of Labour," she added.

The Anzac Day holiday is observed simultaneously with Easter Monday and not transferred to any other day.

Recent changes to the Holidays Act mean employers and employees can agree to transfer observing public holidays to another working day to meet the needs of the business or the employee.

- NZPA