The retail trade in North Rhine-Westphalia is calling for the creation of uniform regulations for automated stores across the state, including those that operate on Sundays. According to Peter Achten, the chief executive of the North Rhine-Westphalia Trade Association, “cashless, digital mini-supermarkets can be a useful addition to local shopping in rural areas.” He added that these concepts only work if they operate 24/7 and do not have to close on Sundays due to misguided regulations.
Just a few weeks ago, the Higher Administrative Court in Münster ruled in favor of a vending machine kiosk operator from Bonn who wanted to open his business on Sundays. Initially, he had been denied permission. The retail trade is now calling for a corresponding legal regulation to provide general clarity. “As the approval practice varies greatly, it would also be in the interest of municipalities to quickly obtain legal certainty” Achten said.
The FDP faction in the state parliament has even developed its own draft bill. According to this, vending machines with up to 120 square meters that exclusively offer daily necessities should be allowed to be accessible on Sundays – fully automated without staff involvement.
“We want to provide shopping opportunities where traditional offerings are lacking, without disturbing Sunday rest” said Dirk Wedel, the municipal political spokesperson. Everything from access to payment should be automated. “If no one has to work, there is nothing against modern supply. Technology that preserves Sunday protection should not be blocked by outdated rules” said Dietmar Brockes, the economic policy spokesperson. Examples from other federal states show that automated shops work.