Santa Cruz Retailers Face Legal Battle Over Sunday Opening Hours

The debate over business hours in Santa Cruz de Tenerife has moved from political discussion to the courtroom, creating uncertainty for local retailers. According to El Día, Mayor José Manuel Bermúdez confirmed that the regional government plans to increase the number of Sundays and holidays that shops can stay open from ten to twelve by the end of the year. This change, expected in October, is a compromise in an ongoing battle between large retail chains and local shop owners.

The conflict centers on the interpretation of the Canary Islands Trade Law. The employers' association, Asodiscan, has asked the City Council to review the "Large Tourist Influx Zone" (ZGAT) status, which currently allows shops in the historic center to bypass standard opening hour restrictions. The City Council has refused, stating there is no legal requirement to do so. As a result, retail companies are now threatening legal action, moving the dispute away from negotiation and into the courts.

This issue reflects a deeper struggle within the local economy. The retail sector accounts for nearly 15% of jobs in the capital, a vital figure given that the region’s business sector has shrunk by 4.8% over the past two years. Mayor Bermúdez has suggested that the solution lies in broader reform, proposing flexible business hours across the entire Canary Islands.

However, this approach faces strong opposition from small business owners, who fear that Sunday openings give large retailers an unfair advantage. To help level the playing field, the City Council is offering support through consumption incentives and partnerships with local trade groups. The city now faces a difficult challenge: balancing the competitiveness required by large retail chains with the survival of the small businesses that have long been the heart of the city center.