Late night shopping has been brought forward by a day after Christmas to allow shoppers to make the most of the post-Christmas sales.
Shops will now be able to open till 9 pm on Tuesday, December 29, the first day's trading after the Christmas break.
Productivity and Labour Relations Minister Yvonne Henderson today announced her approval of a request from the Retail Traders' Association and major retailers.
Mrs Henderson was asked yesterday to bring the day forward from Wednesday, December 30 to the Tuesday.
"I am happy to accede to their wishes, but I am surprised they should make the request at this late stage," the Minister said.
"It means a change to the Christmas trading hours announced in newspaper advertisements this week, and I trust retailers will inform their customers."
Mrs Henderson said staff would be paid award overtime rates. Her inquiries had shown that big and small retailers were prepared to make the last-minute roster changes.
