As far as I am concerned I do not think it is necessary to be open 7 days a week.
Only necessary things need to be open.
The customers will learn to get their stuff by Sat and the stores will be open again on Mon.

I agree with both of you, but unfortunately being competitive is very important in today's economy. Sunday is a big shopping day. The 2 working parent families often need to shop on Sunday. If the guy up the road is open, the business loses customers. Coming from MA, I grew up with the Blue Laws where no store was open on Sun. Then the law was repealed, but they still wouldn't let people buy liquor on Sun. I don't know what the law is now. For over 20 years, if I worked on Sat or Sun, it meant overtime (which I didn't mind) because we had an important project or meeting. Then I moved to FL and started working in retail. No overtime and they seem to get away with it too. I've done end of the year inventory at 2 in the morning for a store. Even the stores that were closed on Sun began to have what they call Sun hours. (11 to 4 or 12 to 5) I probably should have taken it so I won't starve, but I was offered a job at a mattress store a few weeks ago with benefits, etc. 100% commission, but $500 paid training for the first 3 weeks. Anyway, when I asked "what are the store hours?" he said 10 to 9. I asked again "so what would be my hours?" and he answered again "9:30 to 9." He said I'd get a day or 2 off during the week and work Sat from 9 to 8 and Sun 10 to 6. he said the average salesperson makes $70,000 (Of course..they live there!) but that store has hardly any foot traffic..I watched it for hours one day. I've worked many weekends and got used to it. Last retail job worked 3 years on weekends and holidays (New Year's Day, blech!) The electronic store around the corner named REX is worse. I applied there too and was told they work "bell to bell" which is 9 to 9 and you are expected to get there before the store opens and stay with the last customers if someone walks in at 9. Been there/done that. Elizabeth, I hate to write this, but I know if a person doesn't want to work Sunday, he shouldn't take the job. Restaurants are open on Thanksgiving and some serve on Christmas too. New Year's Eve is a big night for many places. Those waiters and cooks know it before accepting the jobs.

Sorry for the long post. I have a bad habit of doing that. I know this subject is on my mind and very personal right now, so maybe that's why I went on a bit. :(

Some businesses that are open sunday now. Were never open sunday before, so workers never had to worry. They could have a day of rest sunday. Now employers are pressuring some workers to work sunday and if they don't they are punished like I said by, not getting days off if they request it and they need to. Or there hours are changed on them. I myself dread working for other people because I know how badly employers can treat employees.

I agree Elizabeth. I don't know the law where you live, but if someone works a Sunday, she should get an extra day off during the week or double pay. As I wrote, here they just put me on salary so they get around that overtime rule. For ex: if someone says "we'll pay you $100 a day" it doesn't matter if the day is 8 hours or 12 hours. It never seems to work the other way around, that is, if you only work 1/2 the day you get penalized. Just be careful when you look at the ads for "at home" jobs. Lots of people asking for money to invest in a business and they aren't always legitimate. I got my insurance license (Life/Health) but I don't like to drive at night to strange neighborhoods. I am trying to join an agency close to home that concentrates on a more local area. I've been independent for a while, but the reason I keep going back to retail is that it is very tough to network unless you are one of those outgoing people who joins groups and can go door-to-door. I'm not. There are a lot of independent jobs like being mortgage broker or real estate agent, but they require lots of studying and licensing. For people who have lots of contacts, having parties to sell jewelry, lingerie or pet products can be very rewarding, but you need a home or someone who will thow them for you. I've known a few women who made $35K or more selling at parties. Some people made over $100K when MLMs first became big selling magnets and vitamins but personality and drive are the key. Wish I could find both of them. lol

nancy - real estate agents can take courses at community colleges - affordable and usually 1 semester.

Emily, I would always suggest an online course depending if one is available on one's area. At least that's the way I would go. It's not a cheap business to get into. Besides the $250 or $300 for the course, the license costs about $300 and then there are MLS and board fees. I paid $1,100 many years ago to join just one local board. Think that was for a quarter! Then it takes months to list, sell and close a home especially if you don't have any prospects. It all depends on the market too. Any honest broker will tell a new agent to make sure she has money in the bank to live on for 6 months to a year in case sales are slow. I'm not being negative, just realistic. Anyway, I'm not suggesting this career to Elizabeth. If someone doesn't want to work on Sunday, then real estate is not the right business. That's when companies have open houses and it's a good way to start out meeting prospective buyers while you are trying to get listings.