Brussels, (Unib Rashid) – The Belgian government is set to approve a new law allowing large retail stores to remain open until 9 PM daily, while abolishing the requirement for a mandatory 24-hour weekly closure. According to Belgian media reports, the federal cabinet is expected to formally approve the measure in an upcoming Council of Ministers meeting.

Currently, retailers such as clothing outlets, electronics stores, and supermarkets operate under strict regulations. The law requires them to close by 8 PM (except on Fridays) and to shut down completely for 24 hours once a week. In contrast, online stores remain accessible at all times, giving them a significant competitive advantage.

Government officials state that easing commercial regulations was already a key commitment in the coalition agreement. While most large retail chains have welcomed the move, employees appear less enthusiastic about the changes.

On Thursday, Aldi announced it is considering opening its stores on Sundays in Belgium, raising concerns about potential spontaneous strikes among workers nationwide. Meanwhile, small shop owners are also expressing caution over the proposed changes.

The Neutral Union for the Self-Employed (NSZ) has voiced strong opposition, arguing that the reforms would lead to higher operating costs and longer working hours without meaningful income gains. The organization described the decision as “a gift for multinationals but a poisoned chalice for small self-employed businesses.”

However, Minister for SMEs and the Self-Employed, Eléonore Simonet, dismissed these concerns. She stated that not all shops currently remain open until 8 PM, and nothing would change for them—they can still close at 6 PM if they choose. “But for retailers who feel at a competitive disadvantage compared to online shops and foreign rivals, we are removing that barrier,” she added.