Sommolago Implements Unified Year-Round Trading Laws for Shops

For the first time in history, identical laws regulate the trade sector across all municipalities of Sommolago. It will no longer happen that a grocery store in Torbole is open while in Riva or Arco, less than five kilometers away, they are all forced to close; or that two neighboring shops, one selling used goods and the other groceries, are open while the other has its shutters down. From now on, the law is the same for everyone.

During the tourist season, from March 15 to November 15 everywhere, all commercial establishments can remain open from 6 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. without time restrictions. Tobacco shops, rotisseries, pastry shops, and ice cream parlors can stay open until 1 a.m. in Riva and Torbole, until midnight in Arco and Dro.

During these eight months, there is no obligation for weekday closures. For the rest of the year, from November 16 to March 14, everyone can remain open for 11 hours between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. During this period, a half-day weekday closure is mandatory: Monday morning for used goods, Monday afternoon for groceries.

Closures in shopping centers and variations

In shopping centers, everyone closes on the same half-day set according to the predominant product category. Where wholesale and retail sales occur, the weekday closure can take place either on Saturday afternoon or Monday afternoon, at the discretion of the businesses.

Franco Gamba, president of the merchants’ union, is satisfied. “Finally, we have achieved almost everything we wanted, starting with uniformity for everyone and the removal of differences between used goods and groceries. Another important aspect is the non-mandatory nature: with maximum daily limits and maximum duration set, each operator can regulate their hours as they see fit, depending on their needs and clientele.”

Gamba also considers positive the essentially continuous opening during December and the possibility to organize four additional days of exemption according to the specific needs of each locality. The only downside, according to the union president, is that since 2001 (this year falls on a Sunday, and no discussion exists), all shops will be closed on the afternoon of December 31.

“But we will get used to it, just as retailers will need to adapt to coexist with large retail chains, since regular shops and supermarkets will always observe identical hours.” This December, only on Christmas and St. Stephen’s Day, December 25 and 26, will shutters remain down. Then, in January, shops will be open also on Saturday the 6th and Sunday the 7th for Epiphany, and on the 14th for Expo Riva Schuh.