Although the Trade Law has been in effect for 20 days, many retailers are still unsure whether they are allowed to operate on Sundays, as various interpretations arise regarding the boundaries of the market, the size of the railway or bus station, and what constitutes a shop in a hotel.
For example, inspectors from the State Inspectorate concluded that only those shops facing the ‘area with stalls’ at the Trešnjevka market can operate on Sundays, although it would be logical, according to the City Markets, for all their tenants to operate, regardless of which direction they face. A similar situation exists at the main Zagreb market, Dolac. Specifically, retailers located within the enclosed part of the market can operate, but shops at the very entrance, such as the Žabac store, must close their doors on Sundays according to the inspectors’ opinion.
According to the new Trade Law, retail spaces in hotels are allowed to operate on Sundays, but the Mercator store located in a hotel in Korenica received a rejection from the local government to open its store. On the other hand, since one part of the underpass at King Tomislav Square leads to the Railway Station, the relevant authorities interpreted that it is an integral part of the Zagreb station, allowing the Konzum store to operate there on Sundays. Due to numerous ambiguities and different interpretations, many retail chains have decided to seek clarification of the Law from the Ministry of Economy. (Antonija Knežević)
