Mumbai retailers seek extra shopping hours

After Delhi, Mumbai may be the next city in India to witness extended working hours for retail establishments.

The Retailers Association of India (RAI) is in talks with the Labour Department of the Maharashtra government to get approval for extended retail hours in the state.

Gibson Vedamani, CEO RAI, said while a few retailers had approached the government individually and got permission to keep their shops open 24X7, the association was now camping to have this extended to all retail outlets in the state.

At present, all retail outlets in the state have to shut by 9.30 pm, making it difficult for people who work late hours to manage their shopping during the week. BPO employees especially face this problem with weekends being the only time they have to go and shop, be it for groceries or otherwise.

As a result of this, most outlets tend to be overfull on weekends. Vedamani explains that once retailers have the option of deciding their working hours themselves, it is upto them to decide what time they want to close down the shop.

"Most stores would not stay open beyond 1 am or so, and that too mainly on weekends which see the maximum rush," said Vedamani. In Delhi for instance, shops are allowed to stay open till 11 pm, but only those which see enough business at those times are doing so.

He added that the biggest concern was related to labour issues and they have conveyed to the government that the staff would continue to work in 8 hour shifts.

"This way infact, more employment would be generated as more people would be required to work the additional hours as well as boost consumption in the state," he said

The RAI is scheduled to meet Commissioner of Labourof the Government of Maharashtra next week, when they hope to reach a consensus on the issue.