Ten of the 16 federal states that make up Germany want to lengthen shop opening hours, German business publication Handelsblatt reports.

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Five states are as yet undecided, while Saarland is against extending shopping hours.


Brandenburg is the most gung-ho, with its government keen to see a full liberalisation, including Sundays. Other states would like to see shops permitted to trade 24 hours a day Monday to Saturday.


Currently shops must usually close by 8pm and remain closed all day on Sundays. Earlier this summer a national court determined that it was down to individual state governments to decide whether to extend hours or not.

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