Christmas Shopping - Opening Hours

[galexinda]

All supermarkets and general stores in Cyprus must adhere to the Christmas schedule of working hours. This means that they should remain closed on Christmas and Boxing day, as well as January 1st, 2nd and 6th the Labour ministry announced on Friday.

Employees of speciality shops such as clothing and shoe stores, which may remain open during the holidays, should be paid double time the ministry noted.

The permitted opening hours for the holiday season starting December 1st and ending on December 31st, were also detailed in the announcement.

Stores will be allowed to open until 8pm on all days with the exception of Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, where they may remain open until 6pm.

http://www.use-the-final-link/news/104590 ... -announced

[Alfie]

What is a general store? Clothing seems pretty general to me.

[Steve - SJD]

What is a general store? Clothing seems pretty general to me.

Things like electrical, phone, DIY, furniture, furnishings, book etc stores. Basically anything that is not
a shoes and clothing store... don't ask my why though

It's like the rule that Barbers shouldn't open on a Thursday - what's that all about - ah well
you get used to it lol.

Cheers

Steve

[Fisherman Phil]

I don't think any shops should be prohibited from opening (or closing), on ANY day of the year.
Staff are not forced to work, and I know plenty of people who would love to work on Christmas Day, and I also kmow some who would rather be with family or friends. I should be a matter of choice.

[Dominic]

Staff are forced to work if the boss decides to open though. I'm all for the closures. I can't understand the masses of people trying to go shopping on Boxing Day in the UK.

[Fisherman Phil]

Staff are forced to work if the boss decides to open though. I'm all for the closures. I can't understand the masses of people trying to go shopping on Boxing Day in the UK.

They said that when supermarkets started opening on a Sunday, but there were plenty of volunteerers, and nobody was forced to work.

[Kili01]

Yes, when we first came to Paphos we were surprised to find all the garages closed after lunch every Tuesday! Barbers and hairdressers closed on Thursdays. But lately I have been told by hairdressers that they are now allowed to work Thursdays if they want to...

It is also a little odd that many shops close,for a 2 hour lunch break,even in winter. Except that most of the banks now stay open till 2.30, while the PO closes at 3pm..

Previously, flower shops and bakeries could stay open virtually all hours, but now apparently, shoe shops and clothes shops can do this as well?

Oh and I noticed that a certain well known Supermarket was selling newspapers on a Sunday. I thought that selling newspapers was only allowed to happen in mini markets and kiosks on Sundays?
It gets more confusing as time goes by...

Dee

[WHL]

I don't think any shops should be prohibited from opening (or closing), on ANY day of the year.
Staff are not forced to work, and I know plenty of people who would love to work on Christmas Day, and I also kmow some who would rather be with family or friends. I should be a matter of choice.

I think your find staff are forced to work....personally I hope shops do close over Christmas so the staff can get some quality time with their family's, anyone can get by for a couple of days without visiting a shop.

[Fisherman Phil]

I don't agree with you WHL, I think you'll find there are plenty of people who would be happy to work over the Christmas period.
I, like you, enjoy Christmas at home with family, but not everyone is like us.

[Alfie]

What is a general store? Clothing seems pretty general to me.

Things like electrical, phone, DIY, furniture, furnishings, book etc stores. Basically anything that is not
a shoes and clothing store... don't ask my why though

It's like the rule that Barbers shouldn't open on a Thursday - what's that all about - ah well
you get used to it lol.

Cheers

Steve

Ta. I am getting used to these quirks.

[Mike J]

Cyprus has embarked on an ambitious new strategy with the aim to further boost both visitor arrivals and tourism revenue, and create 47,000 better-paying jobs by 2030. In the same time frame, the country has set its sights on attracting €20 billion in new investment, and doubling the share of tourism in Cyprus’ economy. As part of this process, the government recently commissioned a comprehensive study by Spanish company THR Innovative Advisors, to assess the future of tourism on the island.
The findings determined that the sector has the potential to contribute up to 30% of GDP by 2030, if the sector is developed responsibly and strategically. To reach these demanding targets, Cyprus would need to attract at least 4.8 million foreign tourists, of which 40% would be during the traditionally dormant winter months between November and April to ensure the sector’s future competitiveness.
When the CTO ran the ad campaign "open 365 days" some wag added except Wednesdays and Saturday afternoons , Sundays, High Days and Holidays. The consultants at the golf course near me quickly advised the owners that closing at 5.30 pm because the staff liked to get home was not the way to attract increased numbers of tourists who wanted to play in the cool early evening. We might love the idea of shops being closed but as the article says to achieve the growth 40% of new visitors must come in the winter season on rural walking tours, wine tours, visits by yachts . A tourist arriving on say Christmas Eve doesn't understand why places are closed for much of their 5 day stay. Nor do people arriving at Limassol Marina understand why the Chemist is closed on a Wednesday . On New Years Day this year not a single bar or restaurant was open in Pissouri , just groups of confused tourist wandering about. Tourism these days is an intensely competitive business with the consumer have vast choice of destinations. I suspect Open 365 days will soon have to mean just that.

[WHL]

Cyprus has embarked on an ambitious new strategy with the aim to further boost both visitor arrivals and tourism revenue, and create 47,000 better-paying jobs by 2030. In the same time frame, the country has set its sights on attracting €20 billion in new investment, and doubling the share of tourism in Cyprus’ economy. As part of this process, the government recently commissioned a comprehensive study by Spanish company THR Innovative Advisors, to assess the future of tourism on the island.
The findings determined that the sector has the potential to contribute up to 30% of GDP by 2030, if the sector is developed responsibly and strategically. To reach these demanding targets, Cyprus would need to attract at least 4.8 million foreign tourists, of which 40% would be during the traditionally dormant winter months between November and April to ensure the sector’s future competitiveness.
When the CTO ran the ad campaign "open 365 days" some wag added except Wednesdays and Saturday afternoons , Sundays, High Days and Holidays. The consultants at the golf course near me quickly advised the owners that closing at 5.30 pm because the staff liked to get home was not the way to attract increased numbers of tourists who wanted to play in the cool early evening. We might love the idea of shops being closed but as the article says to achieve the growth 40% of new visitors must come in the winter season on rural walking tours, wine tours, visits by yachts . A tourist arriving on say Christmas Eve doesn't understand why places are closed for much of their 5 day stay. Nor do people arriving at Limassol Marina understand why the Chemist is closed on a Wednesday . On New Years Day this year not a single bar or restaurant was open in Pissouri , just groups of confused tourist wandering about. Tourism these days is an intensely competitive business with the consumer have vast choice of destinations. I suspect Open 365 days will soon have to mean just that.

the CTO ran the ad campaign "open 365 days..do you have a link for this please?

[galexinda]

According to this link to the Central Bank banks will be open on January 2nd. However, the document referring to 2018 was produced in 2016!
https://www.centralbank.cy/en/the-bank/ ... k-holidays