Flexible Sunday working hours emerged as a key point of contention during an RTL Radio discussion on the future of retail, pitting business owners arguing for adaptability against union concerns over exploitation and competition.

On Saturday, our colleagues from RTL Radio hosted a discussion on the future of Luxembourg's retail sector, featuring Jill Brosius, a local shop owner; Tom Baumert, Director of the Luxembourg Confederation; and David Angel, a trade unionist from the Independent Luxembourg Trade Union Confederation (OGBL).

The debate highlighted contrasting perspectives on the issue of Sunday trading. Baumert advocated for greater flexibility, arguing that extended hours aligned with customer demand are key to growth. "People don't just buy more because the shops are open longer; they buy more when the shops adapt to the customer," he stated.

Echoing the need for adaptability, Brosius shared her experience, noting that she receives applications from individuals specifically interested in working Sundays at her store located in a shopping centre that is open every Sunday.

However, Angel expressed significant concerns. He warned that larger retailers could exploit more liberal regulations, forcing smaller businesses to follow suit and intensifying competition between shopping centres and high-street shops.

A further point of disagreement emerged regarding recruitment challenges. Angel contended that poor working conditions are a primary deterrent for potential employees. In contrast, Brosius and Baumert identified a shortage of skilled labour as the core issue, citing a lack of specialised tradespeople. Brosius also suggested that students are required to choose a vocational path too early in their education, which can lead to mismatched career choices later in life.

Speaking Luxembourgish is no longer a "must"

The discussion also addressed language requirements and the broader appeal of the retail sector.

Brosius stated that fluency in Luxembourgish is no longer a strict prerequisite for hiring, as it would severely limit the pool of applicants. However, she clarified that customer demand for the language is not particularly high, emphasising that the ability to communicate in at least one of the country's three official languages remains the essential criterion.

On the topic of recruitment difficulties, Angel argued that the sector suffers from a lack of appeal, citing low wages – ranking second only to the HORESCA sector – and a high reliance on cross-border workers. According to Angel, these factors can negatively impact quality of life, leading to waning interest in retail careers.

Once again, Baumert offered a contrasting perspective, pointing to "very high" levels of interest at recent Job Days as a positive indicator. Brosius supported this view, noting that she receives plenty of applications. She also reframed the issue of long commutes, arguing it is a nationwide challenge affecting all industries, not one unique to retail.

Online retail remains a major competitor

All participants agreed that the 24/7 availability of e-commerce presents a significant challenge to brick-and-mortar retailers. Rather than engaging in a direct price or convenience race with online platforms, the guests argued traditional retail must leverage its unique strengths.

"Good advice cannot be replaced by an algorithm," stated Baumert, who noted that the sector employs around 26,000 people in Luxembourg. Brosius echoed this sentiment, adding, "The customer is looking for an atmosphere, an experience."

To bolster the sector's resilience, Angel called for "strong measures" to address high rental costs, which he sees as a critical burden. Baumert offered a different perspective on the property market, pointing out that Luxembourg has relatively few vacant shop units compared to other countries – a sign, in his view, that retailers are successfully innovating through special offers and events.

Brosius suggested that attracting young people back to physical stores requires adopting strategies inspired by online trends.

Despite their differing viewpoints, the guests concluded on a collaborative note, with employers and unions expressing a shared commitment to continued dialogue in search of constructive solutions for the sector's future.