Published on 08/09/2014 by FCA on are site
www.commerce-associe.fr/article/ouverture-dominicale-et-nocturne-les-10-propositions-cles-de-la-fca
A priority for the French government, the Growth Act to be presented by Emmanuel Macron, the new Minister for the Economy, Industry and the Digital Economy, is likely to include more flexible opening hours for retailers. In light of the parliamentary debates, the FCA, which represents nearly 150 chains and 30% of the retail sector, supports the government in its thinking and proposes 10 key measures aimed at adapting to consumer needs and changes in the retail sector.
// MAINTENIR LE CARACTERE EXCEPTIONNEL DE L’OUVERTURE DOMINICALE
1) Maintain the principle of the special salary system: compensatory rest, pay rise, etc.
2) ... But with the addition of a new measure: a total exemption from social security contributions for all additional remuneration, thereby consolidating a key benefit for employees and restoring their purchasing power;
3) Retain the derogation mechanisms for seasonal and tourist activities, as enshrined in the Labor Code;
4) Maintain the current balance of the food trade (no Sunday opening beyond 1:00 pm, exemption limited to establishments whose activity is primarily the retail sale of foodstuffs).
// ELARGIR A 12 LE NOMBRE DE « DIMANCHES EXCEPTIONNELS » EN RESPECTANT LA LIBERTE DE CHOIX DU COMMERCANT
5) Give retailers the freedom to open up to 12 special Sundays (excluding tourist exemptions);
6) Leave the choice of calendar to retailers, so that they can adapt to the highlights of their catchment area and no longer depend on the decisions of the mayor or the prefect in the case of Paris.
// METTRE FIN AUX DISCRIMINATIONS EN OPTANT POUR UNE DEMARCHE GEOGRAPHIQUE
7) Adopt a geographical approach, identifying opening zones for all sectors, encompassing both downtown and the suburbs;
8) Review the mechanisms of closure orders, so as not to limit opening zones to the borders of local authorities.
// ASSOUPLIR L’OUVERTURE NOCTURNE DANS LES ZONES TOURISTIQUES
9) Authorize all establishments located in tourist areas with exceptional visitor numbers or permanent cultural events to open late on a voluntary basis (including when hiring);
10) Provide for a 30% wage top-up in this time band, with, once again, a total exemption from social security contributions for this top-up.
