Although they operate without staff, Teo mini markets are currently only allowed to open on weekdays. Now comes the change in the law. The CDU/SPD government is bringing an opposition party on board – the Greens, despite agreement, are not.

From
Wolfgang Turk

“You shall rest on the seventh day!” But what if there isn’t enough broth for the roast on Sunday or there isn’t enough toilet paper until Monday? Last December, the Hessian Administrative Court made it clear to the Tegut trading group: its Teo markets, which are usually located in small towns, are not a legal solution for such bottlenecks, even if they operate without any staff.

Since then, there have been 30 so far digital, fully automated stores with almost 1,000 items closed again on Sundays and public holidays and only open around the clock on weekdays. This will almost certainly change again in the summer.

Starting next Wednesday, the state parliament will pave the way for “smart” Sunday shopping with a change to the shop closing law. The special thing about it: the one that has already been announced Bill, which is now available, brings in the ruling CDU/SPD coalition with the opposition FDP. The three factions announced this together on Tuesday in Wiesbaden.

Maximum 120 square meters

No staff, a maximum of 120 square meters of sales space: In order to ensure that the Sunday protection guaranteed by the constitution is not violated, smart shops should in future be allowed to open under these conditions on days that were previously taboo. There are limits to the range. Only everyday goods are allowed – i.e. eatables, household or hygiene items.

Things should now move quickly: after the first reading next week, an expert hearing is planned for June. In July, in the last session of Parliament before the summer recess, the matter will almost certainly become law with a large majority. In addition to the FDP, the Greens have already clearly spoken out in favor of it. The AfD did not commit itself.

Greens left out

After Court ruling Regarding Teo markets at the end of the year, the FDP had already presented its own draft law in January. Because she is now withdrawing to start a joint initiative with Black and Red. The FDP had planned for a maximum sales area of ​​100 square meters – now there are 20 more. The Teo markets are less than half the size at around 50 square meters.

The Greens, who also pushed the pace, were not asked whether they wanted to join the “Teo coalition”. CDU Prime Minister Boris Rhein ended the coalition with them in favor of the SPD. He would have preferred to have the FDP as a coalition partner. Although there was nowhere near enough for a two-party alliance and she wasn’t needed to secure a majority, he even held exploratory talks with the FDP.

CDU: Living conditions have changed

The shop closing law with the strict Sunday and public holiday rule “no longer corresponds to people’s current living conditions, which are characterized by flexibility, changed leisure behavior and also changes in the world of work” – this is how Heiko Kasseckert, economic policy spokesman for the CDU, justified the draft.

“Our draft law sets out clear rules that will continue to protect non-working Sundays in the future,” emphasized Matthias Körner, labor market policy spokesman for the SPD parliamentary group. And FDP parliamentary group leader Stefan Naas said that “according to our liberal view, people don’t need anyone to explain to them what is good for their souls.” Buying a carton of milk on Sunday is not a cultural breach.

OB sued against markets that he likes

In addition to the Hesse Trade Association, numerous local politicians also spoke out in favor of opening Sunday sales to shops without staff. Not only did they point out that no one had to work on Sundays because of the markets. Especially in rural areas, where not even gas stations or bakeries can help people with a small additional product range, there are supply gaps on Sundays and public holidays.

The digital market model is also being tested by other retail groups. Proponents of Sunday sales claim that the additional sales increase the chance that the offer will be worthwhile, especially in rural areas.

Fulda’s mayor Heiko Wingenfeld (CDU) was also among the supporters. The city had legally enforced the closure of the Teo markets on Sundays. However, Wingenfeld emphasized that he sees the Fulda-based Tegut Group’s project as positive, but is bound by law and order.

Until recently, criticism came from the two large Christian churches and the trade unions, which also have an alliance for Sunday. They fear that the protection on Sundays guaranteed by the constitution will be undermined. The responsible Hesse Labor Minister Heiko Hofmann (SPD) met with representatives of them in March. There was no convergence of positions.