Relaxing Sunday Trading Hours: Why Sainsbury’s is Against

In early 2026, the long-standing debate over the Sunday Trading Act 1994 has resurfaced in the UK. As the Treasury explores ways to offset rising business rates for large retailers, the idea of extending Sunday opening hours has once again been "floated" as a potential solution. However, Sainsbury’s remains one of the most vocal opponents of permanent deregulation, standing firm on a position that prioritizes operational balance and staff welfare over extended trading windows.

The Current Legal Landscape

Under current legislation in England and Wales, large stores (those over 280 square metres or 3,000 square feet) are restricted to six consecutive hours of trading on Sundays, typically between 10 AM and 6 PM. Smaller "convenience" stores are exempt and can trade 24/7.

While the government has previously relaxed these rules for special events—such as the 2012 Olympics—permanent change has remained elusive. In late 2025 and into 2026, Treasury sources suggested that allowing larger supermarkets to open for longer could help them generate the extra revenue needed to pay for a projected £500,000+ increase in business rates multipliers for large premises.

Why Sainsbury’s Opposes the Change

Sainsbury’s stance is rooted in a combination of commercial strategy and corporate responsibility. While rivals like Asda have historically campaigned for longer hours, Sainsbury’s leadership, including CEO Simon Roberts, has maintained that the current rules represent a "happy British compromise."

1. Protection of the Convenience Format A significant portion of Sainsbury’s growth in 2025/26 has come from its "Sainsbury’s Local" convenience stores. These smaller shops benefit immensely from the current law, as they are the only viable option for shoppers after 4 PM or 5 PM on a Sunday. Relaxing the rules for large supermarkets would cannibalize the sales of these highly profitable smaller formats.

2. Staff Wellbeing and Recruitment Retail unions, such as USDAW, are vehemently opposed to deregulation, arguing that Sunday is often the only time retail workers can spend with their families. Sainsbury’s has traditionally aligned with this sentiment, noting that there is "no colleague demand" for longer Sunday shifts. In a competitive labor market, maintaining a reputation as a family-friendly employer is a strategic advantage.

3. Operational Costs vs. Consumer Demand Sainsbury’s has argued that extending Sunday hours does not necessarily increase the total amount of money consumers spend; it simply spreads the same spending over a longer period. This increases overheads—such as electricity, security, and staffing costs—without a guaranteed rise in overall weekly revenue.

The 2026 Business Rates Link

The debate is particularly heated this year due to the "Retail, Hospitality, and Leisure" scheme launching in April 2026. This scheme introduces permanently lower multipliers for small properties but funds it by raising rates for large stores.

The Treasury’s "Olive Branch": Ministers have suggested that longer Sunday hours could "cushion the blow" of these tax hikes.

Sainsbury's Response: Like many major retailers, Sainsbury's would prefer a direct reform of the "outdated" business rates system itself, rather than a "trade-off" that complicates their Sunday operations.

The Public and Political Divide

The issue remains one of the most divisive in UK politics.

The "Keep Sunday Special" Camp: Includes religious groups, small shop owners (represented by the Association of Convenience Stores), and unions who believe the current six-hour limit protects the "rhythm of life."

The Liberalization Camp: Includes some large retailers and consumer groups who argue that the law is a "relic of the 90s" that makes it harder for physical stores to compete with the 24/7 nature of online giants like Amazon.

Conclusion: A Stalemate in 2026?

As of early 2026, the UK government has indicated it has "no firm plans" to move forward with deregulation, despite the Treasury's internal discussions. For Sainsbury’s, the focus remains on its "Next Level" strategy—investing in value and technology within existing hours rather than seeking growth through longer Sundays. For now, the "British compromise" of the six-hour Sunday remains intact, much to the satisfaction of the UK’s second-largest grocer.

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