Stores can't open on Boxing Day

Facing the risk of a big Boxing Day row that looked set to erupt due to plans by some retail chains in Greece to open the day after Christmas, Labor Minister Effie Achtsioglou hastened on Wednesday to introduce an obligatory holiday on December 26 for all enterprises that are usually closed on Sundays. Meanwhile retailers are asking for state protection when they do open on Sundays.

The minister's decision puts an end to Spata-based discount designer outlet mall McArthurGlen Athens's aspirations to open on Boxing Day, which would possibly have been emulated by other stores too.

The ministry's statement said that the compulsory holiday was "a fixed demand of employee representatives," though this had not convinced the same government to introduce it in 2015 or 2016. The decision is aimed at preventing ugly scenes and riots outside stores by unionists, as well as averting...