After heated debate over shop opening hours in Austria, three of the country's nine provinces have decided to ease restrictions.
Austria allows stores to open for just 66 hours a week, and not after 8pm. But Vienna, Burgenland and Lower Austria are to grant retailers the chance to stay open until 9pm once a week in Vienna and Burgenland, and daily in Lower Austria.
Retailers welcomed the changes, but said there is still much to be done if they are to compete with rival retailers in neighbouring central European countries. These retailers are likely to benefit as border restrictions are lifted when they join the EU.
Alfred Matousek of Rewe, which operates Billa and Merkur supermarkets, said: 'We welcome the liberalisation and see it as a step towards a nationwide solution.'
Christoph Adame, spokesman for SCS shopping centre in Voesendorf, Lower Austria, said: 'We will open on Thursdays until 9 pm, and Saturdays until 6pm.'
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