Extended and Sunday trading hours officially come into effect from February 2 to relief of Albany shoppers

Albany’s deregulated trading hours officially started this week, as the weekend marked the first time shoppers could visit large retail stores on a Sunday outside of the Christmas period.

The extended hours — which apply to large chain stores such as Coles, Kmart, ALDI and Cotton On — include stretching weeknight hours to 9pm, and allowing stores to open on Sundays from 10am-5pm.

The City of Albany will also no longer have to apply for permission to open large retail stores on public holidays from 10am-5pm.

The change officially came into effect on Sunday February 2, when the extended hours allowed over the peak Christmas and summer period usually revert back.

Mt Melville truck driver Janmeet Singh was one of many relieved shoppers who took full advantage of the change on Sunday, hitting up Coles and Kmart for weekly essentials.

“I love the shopping on Sunday because I’m working six days in a week and usually only get Sunday off,” he said.

“It’s very handy because I used to have to go to the shops late after work on a Thursday or take a Saturday off to do my shopping.

“The last thing you want to do after driving the trucks to Perth and back is go to the shops, so this will be my routine now.”

The move signals the end of a decades-long debate surrounding retail trade in the city, resulting from a community survey that indicated widespread support for Sunday and late-night trading.

Albany councillors voted to request the change from Minister for Commerce Sue Ellery at their July 2024 meeting.

Albany was WA’s largest city not to allow Sunday or extended trading until the change.