Until last week, the rental agreements for small businesses operating in Finnish shopping centres required them to keep their shops open seven days a week.
“Previously the shopping centre demanded this in the rental agreement, so there was no alternative,” says Maarit Piehl, who operates a children’s clothing shop at the Sello Shopping Centre in the Helsinki suburb of Espoo.
The change to the law that came into effect on May 1 affects businesses such as retail shops, barbershops and hairdressers in which there are five employees or less including the owner.
“The new law is a great relief,” says Piehl. “We plan to close the shop on Sundays during the summer when business is slower. It also gives us the flexibility during other times of the year.”
According to the Federation of Finnish Enterprises the new law was essential. Previously one out of every three shopkeepers in a shopping centre was unable to have one day off per week, which was stressful for many.
“This has been difficult in many situations, as shops have been forced to stay open on Sundays even when it has been unprofitable,” says director Rauno Vanhanen of the Federation of Finnish Enterprises.
Piehl says this has also been her experience.
“As well, my own wellbeing has also suffered as I have had to be at work every day. Now I can spend Sundays with my family,” she says.
Sello Shopping Centre director Matti Karlsson says that he understands the need for a day off for small business owners, but says that the new law brings its own set of challenges for shopping centre management.
“We need to communicate shop opening hours to customers. If there are too many different opening hours, it brings challenges, as customers don’t know which shops are open when,” he says.
