Quebec Launches Pilot Project for Extended Weekend Shopping Hours

Shoppers in Quebec will soon enjoy extended hours for weekend shopping as part of a new pilot project. Starting on March 11, 2024, retailers will be allowed to remain open until 9 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. This initiative represents a notable shift from regulations established in the 1990s, which mandated that most stores close by 5 p.m. on weekends.

The original rules aimed to protect employees’ work-life balance and support smaller businesses in competing with larger retail chains. The pilot project has been informed by prior trials at CF Carrefour Laval, where extended shopping hours have been in effect since November. A survey conducted among retailers in the mall helped identify an effective schedule that benefits both customers and staff.

Sébastien Perron, general manager of CF Carrefour Laval, expressed optimism about the change, noting that it has already enhanced the shopping experience. “I think it was about time for this to happen,” he stated. “Before that, every Saturday and Sunday at 5 p.m., we had no choice but to literally push people out because they weren’t done shopping.”

To balance the extended weekend hours, the mall has shortened its operating hours earlier in the week. Perron emphasized that this adjustment allows staff flexibility while accommodating shoppers’ needs. “There’s an option now for people to arrive later on weekend days — otherwise, they would probably stay home or come another day,” he added. Overall, the pilot project adds a total of three hours to the weekly operational hours at the Laval mall.

Impacts on Local Economy and Employment

Policy experts believe this pilot project could have far-reaching benefits for local businesses and the overall economy of Quebec. Vincent Paquet, a senior policy analyst at the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB), highlighted the potential for increased consumer spending in local stores. He pointed out that approximately 66 cents of every dollar spent at a small business remains within the local economy, in contrast to only 8 cents when shopping on larger online platforms.

Paquet also noted the potential for extended hours to create more job opportunities, particularly for individuals available primarily on weekends, such as students. “If we extend the working hour to 9 p.m., they can get more work too,” he explained. He further emphasized that the pilot allows retailers the flexibility to adjust their hours based on consumer habits, giving them greater control over their operations.

Quebec remains unique in Canada for its broad regulation of retail hours year-round, making this pilot project a significant step towards modernizing shopping practices. As the pilot unfolds, its impact on consumer behavior, local businesses, and employment will be closely monitored, with potential implications for retail policies across the province and beyond.