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Original poster

Do you really need to visit shops on Boxing Day?

352 replies

kolpa · 26/12/2025 08:26

Before you decide to go to half the stores which are open today, think - do you actually need anything? If not, stay away from them.

Those supermarkets that are open would have very few deliveries. Perhaps milk n bread as majority of these are delivered by the bakery and dairy. It depends on if they worked yesterday. As some distribution centres were closed yesterday.

I personally believe that people only shop because the shops are open. If some were open yesterday, they would have gone in.

A good number of the retail workers today are people who don’t have a car who usually bus it in. But no buses means either get someone to drive them in or get taxi/uber which are 1.5-2 times more expensive.

So if you can survive a day of visiting about half the stores which are open today, stay at home or go to others’ homes.

OP posts:
Heidispep · 26/12/2025 08:43

I think all supermarkets and retail should be closed for the two days over Christmas but like you said if they are open people will go. I actually need to pop out myself for some bread so….

HaveaVeryMerryBerryChristmas · 26/12/2025 08:43

Yes, because we have ran out of bread; we forgot an extra loaf before Christmas. Why do you care? The staff are there regardless.
I do agree though that they should all just be closed boxing day.

Moonnstarz · 26/12/2025 08:40

Unless you really live out in the sticks many supermarket workers along with retail workers often take those jobs due to the convenience of where they are. In towns like where I live all the main supermarkets are generally in walking distance. I could walk to all of them from where I live (some closer than others) and many others in the town would be similar.
My brother has pretty much worked all of Christmas this year and is working today. Yes he drives but he could walk if needed to the store he works at. While he might not like crazy busy, he finds this better when there is stuff to do than when it is quiet.

hattie43 · 26/12/2025 08:39

I’m totally shopped out and the thought of battling
more crowds , no way .

monchichilarue · 26/12/2025 08:39

kolpa · 26/12/2025 08:37

Then don’t say it’s a dreadful thing to open today to staff as it’s people like you that make head offices of these companies to continue to open in future BDs

My parents’ neighbour is a manager of Home Bargains. The store is shut for customers but they have a few people in to condense Xmas lines, move stock about etc

It's not a dreadful thing at all. If shops close on Boxing Day then say goodbye to the high street because Covid wrecked it and this will be the final nail in the coffin.

Unless you enjoy walking along your high street and seeing everything empty and boarded up.

Partridgewell · 26/12/2025 08:39

I don't have any bread, so...

greenwithglee · 26/12/2025 08:38

The economy desperately needs it. Go forth and spend people.

Crofthead · 26/12/2025 08:37

The people working Boxing Day getting taxis to work arranged this from their own free will. No one forced them to work in that role so presumably it’s their choice. If they didn’t like it they wouldn’t work there.

tigger1001 · 26/12/2025 08:37

Personally I won't be going near any shops today. Can't think of anything worse than traipsing to the shops.

Eviebeans · 26/12/2025 08:37

I think you’re approaching this from the wrong angle- if the shops weren’t open no one could go into them- there would be no choice
We will be going out for a walk later and if any shops are open we might go in 🤷‍♀️

Any campaign should be aimed at the supermarkets etc

Original poster
kolpa · 26/12/2025 08:37

Then don’t say it’s a dreadful thing to open today to staff as it’s people like you that make head offices of these companies to continue to open in future BDs

My parents’ neighbour is a manager of Home Bargains. The store is shut for customers but they have a few people in to condense Xmas lines, move stock about etc

OP posts:
monchichilarue · 26/12/2025 08:37

Oh stop with all this bloody hypocritical preaching and telling people what to do. I am so sick and tired of it.

You are posting on Mumsnet OP where mods are having to work to moderate this forum. How about you stop posting here and let them have the day off to spend with their families eh? You are being so selfish by encouraging people to post on here when people moderating are having to be online instead of spending time with their loved ones

December2025 · 26/12/2025 08:36

Right and the person who couldn't afford to bulk buy before Christmas?
Or who lives alone and needs to see people? Even just a passing good morning?
Or somebody like me perhaps my mum died 23rd I'm fucking desperate to get out and about and I didn't actually manage to get any fresh bits 23rd or 24th.

EleanorReally · 26/12/2025 08:35

surely if retail workers are there, working, they would prefer to be busy, makes the time go by quicker

saveforthat · 26/12/2025 08:35

FuckoffeeBeforeCoffee · 26/12/2025 08:32

I think OP is hoping the open shops will stop opening in future, if fewer people shop today.

Show quote history

It's not going to happen though. Remember when shops didn't open on Sundays? Everyone managed. I quite liked Sundays when nothing was open.

pictoosh · 26/12/2025 08:34

Absolutely not but shopping sales is my idea of hell.
Some people enjoy it.
Be nice if retail staff got the day off.

Makemeanonymous · 26/12/2025 08:34

I think in my whole life I've only ever once been shopping on Boxing day and it was extremely depressing and I vowed never to do it again.
It always feels like in the build up to Christmas the whole time is devoted to buying things and it's a great relief not to have to bother for a few days

AnnaQuayInTheUk · 26/12/2025 08:33

I can't imagine anything worse than going shopping in Boxing Day. But if the shops are open, then some people will use them.

Mikabli · 26/12/2025 08:33

As someone who works in retail we are there anyway and you will never stop people coming out on boxing day. We have enough of people thinking closing in Christmas day is too much 😂

FuckoffeeBeforeCoffee · 26/12/2025 08:32

saveforthat · 26/12/2025 08:31

The retail staff are there anyway, whether we visit or not.

I think OP is hoping the open shops will stop opening in future, if fewer people shop today.

TheTowerAtMidnight · 26/12/2025 08:32

Yes I do. If that's OK with you.

HostaCentral · 26/12/2025 08:32

DD is working today. She does drive thank goodness, as trains are not running. She's so hoping for a quiet one, the run up to Xmas was extremely busy, they were literally on the floor each evening.

MakeTeaNotWar · 26/12/2025 08:32

i’d like to get out of the house for half an hour and have a change of scenery. I’ll be popping in

berlinbaby2025 · 26/12/2025 08:32

I think you need to find better ways to spend your time and occupy your headspace.

BCBird · 26/12/2025 08:31

I don't think.they should be open
I don't know how I would feel.if I'd been drafted in snd no one turned up though.