Supermarkets in tourist areas of the Gold Coast will trade 24 hours a day during the Commonwealth Games to cater to tens of thousands of visitors, competitors and team officials.
Woolworths and Coles in Helensvale, Southport, Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach, Tweed Heads will stay open 24 hours, as will supermarkets at the Q Super Centre at Mermaid Waters.
Thirty-two other smaller Coles and Woolworths stores across the Gold Coast will trade from 6am until midnight, including retailers in Pimpama, Coomera and Upper Coomera, Oxenford, Pacific Pines, Ashmore, Nerang, Mudgeeraba, Robina, Burleigh Heads and Benowa.
National Retail Association CEO Dominique Lamb says extending trading hours will help service the additional 6,600 athletes and teams officials expected to attend the games, plus the tens of thousands of spectators and visiting media.
“We want to send them a message that Queensland is open for business – a vibrant and dynamic place to do business and to participate in leisure activities, including shopping,” Ms Lamb said.
“Having major stores open around the clock will help meet the needs of visitors outside normal hours, when they’re likely to be engaged in games events.
“It will also provide thousands of hours of additional employment for retail workers, many of whom are students and will be looking to use the holiday period when the games are on to secure additional work.”
The extended trading hours will operate from April 3 up to and including April 17.