Two major grocery store chains plan to defy a Sunday shopping ban in Nova Scotia, the only province in Canada that still forbids most stores from opening on the day.

The Loblaws-owned Atlantic Superstore opened part of one location last week, and competitor Sobeys will try to open six stores this Sunday.

"We believe it's important for us to be able to offer our customers, if they want to shop on Sunday, the opportunity to shop in our stores," Sobeys spokesman Gerald Weseen told CTV News.

Nova Scotia's Retail Uniform Business Closing Day Act forbids most stores from opening on Sundays, except for small convenience stores, drugstores and shops that serve tourists.

Grocery stores smaller than 4,000 square feet are also allowed to open Sundays, but that's far smaller than the giant-sized Superstore and Sobeys branches.

Superstore skirted the law last week by opening just half of one location, the Halifax Chronicle-Herald reported.

Sunday shopping opponent Robert Britton was not impressed, criticizing how the store exploited what some consider a legal loophole.

"Sunday is a day when we stop, when our society stops," said Britton. "If we keep working seven days a week we're all going to pay for it."

It's unclear how Sobeys will attempt to work around the law, especially with six locations preparing themselves for business on Sunday.

The province held a referendum in 2004 on whether to continue the ban, but 55 per cent voted "No" when asked if they were in favour of Sunday shopping at most retail outlets.

According to CTV's John Vennavally-Rao, most of those living in urban areas are now opposed to the ban.

He also said, "recent polls suggest a majority of Nova Scotians actually want the law lifted."

The N.S. government seems little motivated to fight Superstore and Sobeys, although the stores' plans are well known.

"I have been made aware of that," said Premier Rodney MacDonald about their intent to open. "As long as they're living within the law they are able to do so."

Other giant chains like Walmart have said they will remain closed Sunday.

With a report by CTV's John Vennavally-Rao