Some of the biggest retail names in the country have announced that they will not be open on Boxing Day however there are still some that are to ‘help customers’.
For Aldi and Waitrose, closing on the 26th December is not something new but more retailers have joined in this year so that staff can enjoy quality time with their friends and family.
Asda CEO Roger Burnley commenting “This is of course our busiest time of year.
“But it was important for us to give as many of you as possible the opportunity to spend this time with those loved ones that you may not have not seen for many months so, uniquely for this year, we will not reopen our stores until December 27,
Sainsbury’s
Sainsbury’s says it will be opening Boxing Day and stores will operate reduced hours from 10am to 5pm with a Sainsbury’s spokesman saying: “Our colleagues do a fantastic job and have worked incredibly hard this year, so we’re doing everything we can to make sure they are able to take some time to rest and enjoy the festive season with their families, including reducing opening hours in supermarkets on Boxing Day.
“We’re recruiting more colleagues into our business than ever before so that we can give as many people as possible the time off they have asked for. This includes 12,000 temporary colleagues to support us this Christmas. For colleagues that have requested it, we have made sure they are able to take at least two consecutive days off over Christmas.
“In recognition of the outstanding service given to customers every day throughout the pandemic by our colleagues, this year we made two thank you payments to frontline workers.”
Morrisons
Morrisons will also be opening on Boxing Day “for a limited number of hours.”
A company statement said: “We will be opening our stores on Boxing Day for a limited number of hours to help our customers.
“The well being of our colleagues remains a key priority to us and our stores are working hard to ensure all colleagues get a meaningful break during the Christmas period so they can spend quality time with their family, friends or loved ones.
“Working on Boxing Day is voluntary for our colleagues and they receive double pay and time back in lieu.”
“All frontline colleagues will receive a 6% bonus on their earnings for the next 12 months rather than just the next 8-12 weeks.
“The changes represent a bonus payment of £1,050 for a full-time frontline colleague compared to the £351 that would have been paid last year.”
Tesco
Tesco said: “Our stores are open for reduced hours on Boxing Day. Many of our customers rely on their local stores over Boxing Day – from families in search of essentials, to key workers needing access to food.”
Tesco said it would reward frontline staff with an extra 10% bonus over the Christmas and New Year period.
Here are all of the shops that have vowed to remain shut on Boxing Day:
Waitrose
Asda
Marks and Spencer
Aldi
The Entertainer
Wickes
Home Bargains
Screwfix
Homebase
Pets at Home
John Lewis (except for the Trafford Centre store)
