Perth shoppers will have more time to buy gifts in the lead up to Christmas and take full advantage of the sales that follow with the McGowan Government extending retail trading hours.

Commerce Minister John Quigley has approved an additional 35 hours of trading for general retail shops in the Perth metropolitan area from Saturday, December 7 until New Year's Day. The general shops can choose to open from 7am on weekdays starting Monday, December 16 until Christmas Eve inclusive.

Trading on Sundays and public holidays during this period will provide four hours of extra shopping time each day with 8am to 6pm trading (normally 11am-5pm), except for Christmas Day when larger shops will remain closed, while there is an extra hour on Saturdays.

Under the Retail Trading Hours Act, the Minister has the power to extend trading for a 28-day period prior to New Year's Day and for public holidays outside this period, except for Christmas Day, Good Friday and Anzac Day when general retail shops must close.

Trading for the Australia Day public holiday on Monday, January 27 will also be extended four hours, 8am to 6pm.

Comments attributed to Commerce Minister John Quigley:

"We hope more shopping time will translate into higher sales for our retail sector this Christmas season, with the extended trading hours giving people greater opportunities to buy presents for their friends and family.

"We encourage consumers to shop locally rather than buying from online stores that are based overseas.

"By doing this, they will be supporting local retailers who are employers of thousands of Western Australians and will help to protect the WA retail industry and support local jobs."

Commerce Minister's office - 6552 6800