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Discount supermarket to close all 1,000 shops on Boxing Day as a thank you to staff
We reveal the other retailers also closing over the festive period
A MAJOR discount supermarket with more than 1,000 branches will close all stores on Boxing Day this year.
Aldi will be pulling down the shutters on all of its shops so its staff can spend more time with their families.
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The discounter will close on Boxing Day, a day which tends to be pretty busy for shoppers,
This is on top of being shut on Christmas Day, as it is every year.
Richard Thornton, communications director at Aldi UK, said: "Christmas is such a special period for many of our colleagues, and by keeping our stores closed on Boxing Day, Aldi gives them more time to spend with their loved ones.
"Customers will have plenty to look forward to in the run-up to Christmas, with exciting Christmas ranges hitting shelves in time for the festive season."
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Aldi has been closed its doors on Boxing Day for the past few years.
It comes after bargain retailers Home Bargains, John Lewis and Waitrose announced that they would also be shutting their doors on Boxing Day.
Almost all stores across the UK shut on Christmas Day, but there are also a handful of retailers that won't open on Boxing Day either.
Most of us will slowly return to usual working hours over the following week, and so will UK shops and supermarkets.
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But then the New Year hits and shops will likely change their hours again.
This means customers will need to plan their shopping trips carefully from Boxing Day to New Year's Day.
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Last year though dozens of chains across the country made the decision to adjust their opening hours to give their workers a well-earned break.
Aldi, Iceland, John Lewis, and Poundland all pulled down their shutters on Boxing Day.
While other opted to operate with reduced hours instead, these included Sainsbury's, Primark, Morrisons and Tesco.
We'll keep you updated on the major chains' plans for this year as they're announced.
Opening hours can vary from branch to branch, so as we get closer to Christmas make sure to check your local store times before you make the trip.
Most big retailers will have their opening times listed on their websites nearer the time.
Why do retailers close on Boxing Day?
BOXING Day is one of the busiest shopping days of the year.
So why do retailers decide to close? Senior Consumer Reporter Olivia Marshall explains.
Closing on Boxing Day allows staff to have a well-deserved break after the busy Christmas period.
This can help improve staff morale and reduce burnout.
It also provides them with an opportunity to spend time with their families and friends during the festive season.
For some retailers, the cost of opening on Boxing Day, including staffing and operational expenses, may not be justified by the expected sales revenue, especially if customer footfall is low.
With the rise of online shopping, some retailers may focus on online sales and promotions rather than opening physical stores on Boxing Day.
For some businesses, it may also be a a long-standing tradition for them to remain closed on Boxing Day.
From a practical perspective, the day after Christmas can be used for inventory checks, restocking, and preparing for post-Christmas sales.
This can be more effectively done without the distraction of serving customers.
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