Ontario Sunday Shopping: The View of the Consumers of Hamilton, Ontario

Abstract

<p>:n the province of Ontario, The Retail Business Holidays Act regulates retail business services m holidays. The Act defines Sunday as a "holiday" and so Sunday is treated the same way as ,he other public holidays. The Act has raised much controversy over the past few years as the 1mbiguity over the wording of the Act and the problems with enforcement, has left room for retailers to do as they please regarding Sunday opening. In tum many different retailers, religious organizations and labour groups have voiced varying concerns to the provincial ;government of Ontario. This research paper investigated the consumer attitudes towards Sunday shopping in Hamilton, Ontario. The main objective was to determine through the method of cross tabulation whether attitudes differed based on household income, sex, presence/absence of children in the family, age, employment status, religion and marital status. The second focus was to determine whether consumers favored a particular type of shopping on Sunday. Finally, to view the opinion of the consumers on who should legislate and the form the legislation should take. Data was obtained thru a survey questionnaire distributed at Jackson Square and Center Mall in Hamilton. The major finding of this thesis was that Hamilton consumers have varying attitudes towards Sunday shopping.</p>