In a rare sign of solidarity between Australia's supermarket giants, Coles and Woolworths are both pushing for a standardised framework on trading hours and the loosening of the restrictions on the times they are allowed to operate.

Inconsistency across states and territories is a significant burden, which if harmonised, could result in millions of dollars in savings, both supermarkets argued in their submissions to the Productivity Commission's Cost of Doing Business: Retail Trade Industry study.

Coles Supermarkets

Coles highlighted the inconsistencies across Australia over the Easter and Anzac Day, , with regards to trading hours, operating hours and whether they incurred public holiday penalty rates.

For example, on Anzac day, New South Wales and Victoria must stay closed until 1pm, while in the Australia Capital Territory and the Northern Territory it is recommended they stay closed until 1pm, in Tasmania they must stay closed until 12pm, and in Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia they must not open.

By submitting your email you are agreeing to Fairfax Media's terms and conditions and privacy policy. The Australian Retailers Association said given the faltering economy, slow growth pace, rising unemployment, rising costs of business and increased global competition, the Fair Work Commission's decision on wages has been generous.

The Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association, the union representing workers in the retail industry, said the biggest challenging facing Australian retailers was overseas competition. All submissions to the Productivity Commission, including those made by Coles and Woolworths are available to the public online.

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Max Mason Contact via Email Follow on Twitter. SHARE Share on Facebook SHARE Share on Twitter TWEET Link "The benefits of allowing consumers and traders to decide for themselves when to shop are well established. Woolworths government relations manager Michael Samaras.

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