As the partner of a retail worker, I dislike the unfairness in this culture of extended trading.

I think what irks me more than my partner being required to work on demand (as a manager he does not get to choose his own availability) is that he receives no penalties for working weekends and nights (or overtime for that matter, but that's a different irk); even though he incurs additional costs in working these hours. In our area there is no public transport during these times so it is more expensive for him to get to and from work, as he has to catch taxis if I am not available to pick him up, which is often the case now that we have a newborn.

I would have less of a problem with extended trading hours if other essential services (like transport) were similarly available.

I would be happy to see Sundays as a 'work free' day. But I think Saturday morning opening (post offices, banks, etc) is brilliant, as it gives full time workers some opportunity to actually get things done without having to take time off work.