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Original poster

Which side of the supermarket argument are you on?

102 replies

HallFloor · 10/12/2020 14:29

Asda have announced they're closing as a thank you to staff. The others are insisting they'll stay open.

Personally, I don't think any shops should be open on Boxing Day, any year, but I know many don't agree.

OP posts:
WhyNotMeThough · 10/12/2020 14:56

I know some people who appreciate the extra pay on those days. I don't personally shop on those days.

myhobbyisouting · 10/12/2020 14:58

Why should they close? Why supermarkets in particular?

Nobody kicks off about the corner shop being open but when it's a huge supermarket they are up in arms.

I never go shopping on Boxing Day but I don't think they "should" close. It is a nice gesture if the staff aren't losing a days leave for it I suppose

myhobbyisouting · 10/12/2020 14:59

"They should close Boxing Day.
All shops should."

@willsantausesantatize because??

PurpleMustang · 10/12/2020 14:59

I think they should be shut. Aldi's do it each year. As someone just asked, on the news it stated that the Asda staff would be paid

LadyCatStark · 10/12/2020 15:03

Definitely closed.

Justmuddlingalong · 10/12/2020 15:04

GMB described the announcement as a "step in the right direction", but national officer Roger Jenkins added: "It's a shame that this is not extra holiday - workers will have to book a day of their annual leave entitlement."

FelicityPike · 10/12/2020 15:07

Definitely should be closed. It’s just greedy.

RayOfSunshine2013 · 10/12/2020 15:10

Can they close the ambulance service too? Or at least ban 111 specials for the day?

slashlover · 10/12/2020 15:12

I've worked Christmas in a supermarket, after how insane customers can be on the 23rd and 24th, you need 2 days off to recover.

TwoZeroTwoZero · 10/12/2020 15:12

Staff ought to get double time or time off in lieu but some people actually want to work on Boxing day.

tinselfest · 10/12/2020 15:14

@Justmuddlingalong

I think they should close on boxing Day. But, I think the staff should be given the extra day rather than having to use an annual leave day.
It's a bank holiday so they are entitled to it anyway.
blacksax · 10/12/2020 15:16

@RayOfSunshine2013

Can they close the ambulance service too? Or at least ban 111 specials for the day?
Nobody's going to die if they can't buy some reduced sprouts and wrapping paper, are they?
myhobbyisouting · 10/12/2020 15:19

"Nobody's going to die if they can't buy some reduced sprouts and wrapping paper, are they?"

No. Nor are they from a "111 special".

willsantausesantatize · 10/12/2020 15:21

To the poster asking me why they should close Boxing Day : well why not?
I understand it's not a holiday for many people but the shop workers have had a terrible year and deserve an extra day with their family.
I guess a few stores will open up Boxing Day anyway but the big stores should shut.
Lots of time to shop , two days isn't that bad.

Vindo · 10/12/2020 15:23

Closed! Then my husband can stay home with us instead of working.

Comefromaway · 10/12/2020 15:25

Retail staff work insane hours in the lead up to christmas then they have to come in at silly o'clock in the morning to prepare for sales before the shop opens.

Absolutely they should have boxing day off.

OctaviaOrange · 10/12/2020 15:26

M & S are doing the same

However what they're not telling you is that they're telling the staff that they must make up the hours elsewhere..

myhobbyisouting · 10/12/2020 15:33

"To the poster asking me why they should close Boxing Day : well why not?
I understand it's not a holiday for many people but the shop workers have had a terrible year and deserve an extra day with their family."

Why not? Because they are a business and their primary concern is profit. You said "all shops should" shut. I know retailers who are hoping to be able to trade as much as possible including Boxing Day. They've been closed for much of the year.

Lots of people deserve more time with their family. When you apply for any job you take it for what it is, including the busy periods etc.

FamBae · 10/12/2020 15:45

I can see both sides; when the late Ken Morrison was Chairman of Morrisons the store never opened on Boxing day or New Years day, as exhausted staff we were so grateful as department managers we were not allowed to take a day off during the ten day run up to Christmas. On the other hand I remember the first Christmas after I had split with my ex I was at a bit of a loss what to do on Boxing day so my adult DD and I headed for our nearest largest shopping centre (South East), it was like the united nations and packed, not everyone is a Christian.
Well done Asda Flowers

Ness1234 · 10/12/2020 15:46

Closed

TableCat · 10/12/2020 15:56

I've always thought that all non essential stuff should be closed boxing day.
Emergency services yes - everything else no.
I also don't think pubs should be open Christmas Day but I understand that the staff usually choose whether to work those shifts. So maybe some want to be there.

oldwhyno · 10/12/2020 16:04

I want them to be closed on certain days like boxing day.

but then I also want online retailers to be forced to have opening hours! Hmm

changedmynameforChristmas · 10/12/2020 16:06

Close.

nosswith · 10/12/2020 16:06

Corner food convenience stores only. Even in non-covid times I think as many people as possible should be able to have a break together.

I often wonder if those who advocate longer shop hours ever work at weekends or during holiday periods.

WillingWarlock · 10/12/2020 16:10

I don't generally shop on Boxing Day but this year I may need to buy some food, as we are uncertain as to whether we are hosting family, and if so how many we are hosting, and I don't want to buy stuff in advance for it to go to waste. However if needs be we can feed them with what we have plus bread and milk from the Spar -or if the Spar doesn't open either I am sure we can still manage. So if they want to close, do it, I say.