Going to supermarkets on Sundays is part of the routine of thousands of Brazilians, especially as it is the last day before the start of the week and a period traditionally associated with rest.
However, this habit may undergo a significant change from the beginning of 2026.
This is because an agreement signed between employers’ and workers’ unions provides that supermarkets will no longer open on Sundays in Espírito Santo. The measure, inspired by models adopted in European countries, seeks to guarantee adequate weekly rest for professionals in the sector.
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The new scale is scheduled to come into force in March 2026 and will continue until October of the same year, functioning as a testing period. During these months, supermarkets, markets and wholesalers must reorganize their operations to assess the feasibility of the proposal.
Supermarkets will not be able to open on Sundays in Espírito Santo” width=”1200″ height=”700″ srcset=”https://static.ndmais.com.br/2025/10/kompra-supermercado-sao-jose.jpg 1200w, https://static.ndmais.com.br/2025/10/kompra-supermercado-sao-jose-800×467.jpg 800w, https://static.ndmais.com.br/2025/10/kompra-supermercado-sao-jose-768×448.jpg 768w, https://static.ndmais.com.br/2025/10/kompra-supermercado-sao-jose-320×187.jpg 320w” sizes=”(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px”/>Supermarkets will not be able to open on Sundays in Espírito Santo from March 2026Photo: Reproduction/ND MoreSupermarket closures on Sundays enter test phase
The discussion about the operation of supermarkets on Sundays is not new and has been mobilizing workers and employers for years. With the collective agreement, the expectation is to observe whether the change can bring real benefits to employees’ quality of life without significantly compromising the sector’s performance.
If the experimental period presents positive results, the tendency is for the new operating model to be maintained definitively, permanently changing the dynamics of food trade in Espírito Santo.
Closing on Sundays provides exceptions
The rule that affects the operation of supermarkets on Sundays will be applied specifically to supermarkets, markets and wholesalers. As a result, consumers who usually shop at these establishments on that day will need to anticipate or reorganize their weekly planning.
On the other hand, some segments were left out of the agreement. Bakeries, butchers, street stores and family businesses without employees were not included in the initiative and can continue to function normally on Sundays.
Measure will be applied specifically to supermarkets, markets and wholesalersPhoto: Disclosure/Atacadão/NDMeasure divides businesspeople in the sector
Although supporters of the proposal point to gains in quality of life and rest for workers, the closure of supermarkets on Sundays raises concern among business owners.
The main fear is the possible financial impact, as Sunday represents an important sales day in many cities. There is also a fear that consumers will find it difficult to adapt to the new routine, which could affect revenue.
Only at the end of the testing period will it be possible to assess whether the change in supermarkets on Sundays will bring more benefits than harm and whether Espírito Santo can serve as a reference for similar decisions in other regions of the country.
