Shops closed on Boxing Day – full list including M&S and Morrisons
IT'S been a manic year for supermarket and shop staff during the pandemic and many are getting a well deserved break over the festive season.
Here are the shops planning to close on Boxing Day this year.
Boxing Day may be a good time to hit the sales after the Christmas rush but its been a busy year for staff.
Workers have had to cope with ever-changing Covid rules in-store and supporting customers throughout the pandemic.
The Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (Usdaw) is urging shops to give their workers the longest possible break over the Christmas season.
Some supermarkets and shops are recognising the hard work of their employees and have decided to give their staff the day off on Boxing Day, which falls on Sunday December 26 this year.
We reveal the brands giving their staff a well-earned break this Boxing Day.
Marks & Spencer
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M&S is closing all of its stores - including food halls - on Boxing Day to give its 70,000 staff a break.
The high street giant has written to all its workers telling them not to come in on December 26 to say thanks for their hard work this year.
M&S boss Steve Rowe said in a letter to staff: "Up and down the country, our colleagues have been there for our customers in the most challenging of circumstances.
"As a small thank you for their incredible hard work, we’ve taken the decision to close our operations on Boxing Day once again this year, to enable our colleagues to spend more time with their family and loved ones."
Morrisons
Morrisons announced earlier this month that none of its 497 UK stores will open on December 26 as a reward for employees.
The supermarket chain usually opens branches on Boxing Day, meaning staff have to go back to work the day after Christmas.
A Morrisons spokesperson said: "We know everyone at Morrisons has worked incredibly hard over the past 18 months and continues to do so, as together we’ve responded to the unprecedented challenges of a global pandemic, serving our customers and local communities, and caring so much for each other.
"We’ve been listening hard to colleagues about how best to say thank you, and are really pleased to confirm that this year we will be closing all our supermarkets on Boxing Day, so as many of our key workers as possible can enjoy a two day weekend break with family, friends and other loved ones."
The Entertainer
The toy chain is a great place to pick up presents but it won't be open on Boxing Day.
A spokesperson confirmed to The Sun that its stores will be closed on December 26.
This means staff will get Christmas Day and Boxing Day and will return to work on Monday December 27.
Aldi
Aldi staff will get a day off on Boxing Day.
The discount supermarket never opens on Boxing Day and that tradition will continue this year.
Aldi will reopen after Christmas and Boxing Day on Monday December 27.
Home Bargains
Home Bargains is set to give staff a day off on both Boxing Day and New Year's Day this festive season.
It will close its doors on December 26 and January 1 2022.
Home Bargains will also close at the earlier time of 5pm on Christmas Eve to allow its 22,000 employees to have a longer festive break.
Sainsbury's
Sainsbury's supermarkets will be closed on Boxing Day, as well as its convenience stores and petrol stations.
The decision was made "in recognition of extraordinary efforts" of staff during the pandemic.
The retailer said around 170,000 store workers will get the day off over Christmas.
Poundland
Poundland will also shut its doors on Boxing Day this year, according to reports.
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The discount store will also be closed on January 1.
It is the second time in a row the company has given workers those extra two days off over Christmas.
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