Germany Became a Better Place to Live

Germany became a better place to live

Germany is known as one of the most consumer-unfriendly countries in the West. On November 1, 1996, a new law took effect that, for the first time in German history, allows stores to stay open on weekdays past 6:30 p.m. But even now stores will not be able to stay open later than 8 p.m. on weekdays and 4 p.m. on Saturdays. And Sundays remain entirely off-limit.

The restrictive shopping hours were manageable for traditional families in which the wife stayed home and did her shopping on weekday mornings. But for single people who work and for families in which both parents work, ordinary shopping has become stressful. "I don't understand why Germany is so rigid," said Sabine Ruby, an executive at a technology company. "The only time I can shop is on Saturday mornings. I have to get up early and leave by 8:30 because if I get to the store at 10 a.m. I may not be able to find a parking place." Supermarkets on Saturdays can be so crowded and pressured that many people consider it the height of bad form to bring children along, for fear they will get in the path of other frenzied customers.

Surveys indicate that about 70 percent of stores plan to extend their hours at least somewhat.

(Source: The New York Times, October 31, 1996.)

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