Shop ’til you drop, but isn’t this a day too far?

WHILE I understand the predicament in which Cork businesses find themselves due to the triple whammy of recession, budget and flooding, I do not believe that opening for sales on St Stephen’s Day is desirable or will solve anything.

Could families not have a breather from the hectic pace of life, some time out from the treadmill of work and shopping? What could anyone possibly need that they haven’t already bought by Christmas Day?

Businesses will argue that if they don’t open, others will and they will lose out as a result. The obvious solution is a “gentleman’s agreement” to hold off until the more traditional date of January 1.