And it says the relaxation of the current rules would also help to reduce food waste.
Economic Development Minister Lyndon Farnham has proposed changing the law so that stores with more than 700 sq metres of floor space can open between 10am and 4pm on Sundays, and on Good Friday and Liberation Day.
Concerns have been raised about the impact the change could have on families and children as a result of staff being asked to work on Sundays. However, ministers have said that the issue could be reviewed in due course and pointed out that employment laws had already been improved and that most shops can already open on Sundays if they wish.
And Senator Farnham has said the driving force behind the proposals is more choice for consumers.
Now Waitrose has backed the proposed relaxation of the rules, and said Sunday trading would in fact provide more flexible working hours for staff.
Damian Warman, director of Waitrose & Partners Jersey Limited, said: ‘We are fully supportive of Sunday trading and have been working closely with the States of Jersey and the Chamber of Commerce to prepare should it be introduced. When we’ve opened on Sundays in the run up to Christmas in Jersey it’s proved extremely popular with our customers and since its introduction in Guernsey four years ago it has been very well received.
‘It would also allow us to create an additional 30 jobs across our Jersey shops and provide the opportunity for more flexible working hours for our partners. As well as creating new jobs, Sunday trading will help us further reduce food waste and give our customers greater choice about when they would like to shop.’
Not everyone supports the plans, however. An anonymous letter sent to politicians and the media calls for the States to reject the proposals.
The author said that he lives next door to a large supermarket and his and hundreds of other families will be affected if the rules are changed.
‘For six days of the week we put up with early morning delivery lorries (often from 6am), reversing beep alarms, clattering delivery trollies, slamming doors, crying babies and screeching children. Sunday really is our family day of rest.
‘The only people that stand to benefit from large shops being open on a Sunday are the shareholders that own large shops.’
The next States sitting is due to begin on Tuesday.
