Nicola Sturgeon said she would be prepared to consider making it illegal for stores to take customers on January 1

Nicola Sturgeon has signalled her support for shops being closed on New Year’s Day to give workers more time off.

The first minister said she would be prepared to consider making it illegal for stores to take customers on January 1, amid pressure from trade unions.

Industry leaders warned that such a change would see high-street retailers put at even more of a disadvantage to their online rivals.

Jackie Baillie, the Labour MSP, pushed Ms Sturgeon to use Holyrood’s powers to force shops to shut after members of the Usdaw union had delivered 3,000 postcards calling for the measure in a protest outside the Scottish parliament.

“Many retail workers in Scotland had to work on January 1 instead of spending time with their families,” Ms