GERMANY : Shopping Hours to Be Extended

Germans can shop into the night and buy fresh bread on Sundays under a law approved in Germany’s Parliament that eases some of the most restrictive shopping hours in Europe. The law takes effect Nov. 1, but it could be delayed or derailed outright by trade unions and other opponents who say it’s anti-family and could put some stores out of business. The legislation allows stores to stay open until 8 p.m. on weekdays and 4 p.m. on Saturdays. It also allows bakeries to sell bread on Sundays, although other stores generally must stay shut.