LATE SHOPPING NIGHTS

Evening Star, Issue 22457, 30 September 1936, Page 16

LATE SHOPPING NIGHTS

HASTINGS TO HAVE TWO A TRIAL OF STRENGTH [Pnjt United Tkess Association.] HASTINGS, September 20. ■ Hustings is to have two late shopping nights each week. This will he the result of a division' of opinion on the half-holiday question. Those favouring Saturday closing have secured the signatures of 151 retailers prepared to change the day of closing, and on the other hand many other retailers, including most of the large stores, indicated their intention of adherence to the present half-holiday, Thursday, which was retained as the result of a poll some two years ago. Those who desire to do so may, by application to the Labour Department, have their day of closing altered to Saturday. By this process those who desire to close on Saturday have brought about the change so far as their own businesses are concerned. The stage is now set for a trial of strength between the two groups. If the buying public shows a disposition to continue to do its principal shopping on Saturday night then those businesses that arc open on Friday night will suffer in comparison. If. however, there is a swing over in favour of Friday night shopping, then those businesses adhering to-the custom hitherto existing will be.faced with the necessity of revising their policy.