As Poland wrestles with its Sunday shopping laws, a new debate simmers within the halls of the Sejm. Despite business reluctance and limited public demand, a small faction of politicians and major shopping mall owners continue pushing to liberalize restrictions on Sunday trading. “Puls Biznesu” reported on this contentious issue, highlighting that a legislative proposal to allow two shopping Sundays each month remains frozen in parliamentary limbo, stalled by procedural hurdles and lackluster political support.
The proposal, championed by Ryszard Petru and his Poland 2050 party, was a key election promise. But since its introduction in March, it has languished without formal discussion in the necessary committees. Petru’s attempts to bring the issue to the floor on Tuesday were met with bureaucratic resistance, as social policy committee chair Katarzyna Ueberhan of the Left has yet to schedule it for debate. “I hope to convince the social policy committee to work on this law, and if that fails, I’ll seek another way forward,” Petru told “PB.”
But the idea is far from universally embraced. The Left and Razem parties strongly oppose the initiative, while Koalicja Obywatelska shows only partial support. Business interests are also divided. Poland’s Union of Entrepreneurs and Employers stands behind the proposal, yet the Polish Trade and Distribution Organization, which represents large international retailers, remains cautious.
The strongest objection came from Włodzimierz Wlaźlak, head of Poland’s Lidl chain, who warned that two open Sundays per month would create a logistical nightmare. “Consumers will be completely lost as to when stores are open and when they’re not,” he argued, adding that this confusion could lead to significant waste, particularly for fresh goods. “Business doesn’t need half-measures but rather stability and predictability in the law,” he stated.
In the shadowy world of legislative backrooms, however, the greatest enthusiasm for lifting the ban comes from mall owners, eager to open their doors and capitalize on Sunday foot traffic. But as they and a handful of lawmakers press for change, the majority of politicians and business leaders hesitate, wary of unleashing a new wave of unpredictability upon consumers and retailers alike.