Christmas shoppers will have an extra day to look for gifts this year.
Shops will be able to open on Sunday, December 20.
Late night trading will take place on the Wednesdays before Christmas and New Year, instead of the Thursdays.
Consumer Affairs Minister Yvonne Henderson said today that stores would be able to open on the Sunday before Christmas from 10 am to 4 pm.
"Trading on the Sunday before Christmas for the past two years has been very popular with consumers and is clearly an overwhelming success," Mrs Henderson said.
"The decision to allow shops to open on the Sunday should receive widespread community support, and remove much of the strain of the Christmas rush.
"Like all-day Saturday trading, it will allow families to shop as a group, adding to the fun and the festive spirit of the season.
"Many families have both parents at work and Thursday nights and Saturdays are often the only times available for shopping.
"With a family of my own, I know how much families will appreciate the option of shopping on the Sunday before Christmas."
Mrs Henderson said that late-night trading on Thursday, December 24 and Thursday, December 31 would clash with families' festive season plans.
"Moving late-night trading forward by one day will give people a breather before Christmas Day and New Year's Day," she said.
"Announcing the Christmas trading decision now will allow retailers plenty of time to arrange stock purchases and staffing arrangements."
