Who will work on Sunday ? The winners and losers of Sunday laws relaxation

In 2016, a law made it possible to work on Sundays in the retail trade of about thirty French areas, representing 3% of French retail trade. We show that the reform did not coincide with any significant increase in retail trade sales or employment in target areas. Retail establishments are open one more day each week, but the number of employees is roughly the same before and after the reform. However, the increase in the number of days that shops are open has led retail employers to favor employees who are sufficiently experienced and skilled to manage a store independently. On the other hand, there has been a significant decline in the employment share of less skilled and less experienced workers in target areas, as well as a sharp decline in the employment share of single parents, for whom it is difficult to reconcile family responsibilities and Sunday work.