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


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.