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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:
FireUnderpants · 10/12/2020 16:11

Its a tricky one, if they pay more some staff would rather the extra money.

At my old job our manager had to pull names out of a hat to work as it was double pay and everyone wanted a shift.

Although I'm sure most people would not want to have to have an early night and sort out their work uniform on Christmas day.

I refuse to use any shops on boxing day.

MustardMitt · 10/12/2020 16:14

I think it’s terrible shops are open on Boxing Day. There can never be a reason to have to buy groceries or home goods on Boxing Day that can’t be covered by a loaf and a pint of milk from the garage.

Saladd0dger · 10/12/2020 16:15

Closed. It’s ok saying Tesco will do reduced shopping hours but most staff like me still have to start work at 5am Boxing Day lol. The till staff will work reduced hours. Nobody else will though.

JudgeRindersMinder · 10/12/2020 16:15

Tesco (in Scotland anyway) have closed on Boxing Day for years, but I’m in agreement with shops not opening at all

RunningFromInsanity · 10/12/2020 16:19

I don’t think people should have to work on Boxing Day but I remember the disaster of last Boxing Day when we were hosting all the family and the garage fridge had been left opened for a few days and all the milk and cream had gone off. Luckily we could make a quick dash to our local coop for more.

SnuggyBuggy · 10/12/2020 16:19

But when will people buy Easter eggs? Grin

Definitely close them.

user1471538283 · 10/12/2020 16:20

Supermarkets used to be closed and we managed! I sometimes pop to one and pick bits up but my god if it's a choice between key workers getting an extra day and us having to "make do with all the treats" then they should get the extra day.

The stories I've heard about these key workers being abused and assaulted makes me ashamed of my fellow humans

HopeAndDriftWood · 10/12/2020 16:22

I used to work boxing day. I spent Christmas by myself and looked forward to being around people the next day... volunteering on Christmas Day is often oversubscribed, and there's usually a big push asking people not to sign up to help for one day, as they'd rather have longer-term people. There have definitely been years that being able to work has saved my mental health.

I think a lot of the people who typically want shops to be closed are thinking of the workers who would rather be at home, rather than those of us who really didn't want to be and liked the distraction of working - and there's a lot of us, too.

But I think closing this year could be sensible.

PatriciaPerch · 10/12/2020 16:24

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

DryRoastPeanut · 10/12/2020 16:26

Closed!

Nobody, absolutely nobody needs to shop on the day after Christmas Day, which isn’t tech Boxing Day here this year.

I’m cross that Sainsbury’s think it’s ok to work their poor staff the next day. If they open I shall have to find another supermarket for my regular grocery shop. This year of all years their staff deserve a huge break.

RealisticSketch · 10/12/2020 16:29

Used to work in retail and had to open the door at 7am on boxing Day for the sales. I was blearily eyed opening the shutter at 6am to let myself in and prep the shop for opening. A man who was already queueing tried to crawl under the (raised about 3') shutter with me all the while chatting to me about what a pity it was that I had to work and these poor shop staff who can't enjoy their Xmas without knowing they have work tomorrow. 😆
I know there are nurses and firemen etc for whom Xmas is often spent out of the family home, but shopping isn't exactly as vital as saving lives and could really wait another day. Personally entering a shop is the absolute last thing I want to leave my Xmas cocoon for.

Woohoowoowoo · 10/12/2020 16:30

Shops only open on boxing day because there is demand there.

No one on MN shops on boxing day apparently and yet all of the shops are open, so plenty of people do!

Parky04 · 10/12/2020 16:31

My DS wants to work Boxing day as it's double pay. Sainsbury have already said it will be volunteers only.

WitchesBritchesPumpkinPants · 10/12/2020 16:31

@OctaviaOrange

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..

Jesus wept- really?!

An all new low - bastards.

I think all retail should be closed on Boxing Day (emergency pharmacies etc exempt)

doctorhamster · 10/12/2020 16:31

They should absolutely close! As should every other shop too. I haven't worked in retail for many years now but Christmas was such a shit time of year...having to stay hours late after closing on Christmas Eve to remove all the Christmas stock and put the sale stuff out, then back in before dawn on Boxing Day. Properly shit.

user1471474138 · 10/12/2020 16:34

There’s no extra pay for Boxing Day this year as it falls on a Saturday so not officially a bank holiday - the Monday is the day that attracts a premium if worked.

dottiedodah · 10/12/2020 17:04

We usually visit family on Boxing Day anyway.So yes should close for sure .Cannot imagine anyone will be so desperate as to have to go shopping for even more food following a weeks worth of 24 hours a day shopping opportunities

Kazzyhoward · 10/12/2020 17:09

I'm all in favour of them being open in a normal year. But not this year. The less people are out and about mixing and potentially spreading covid, the better. It'll be bad enough with people spreading it around at family gatherings, but spreading it around crowded supermarkets will just make it worse, leading to even longer restrictions etc in January.

megletthesecond · 10/12/2020 17:10

They should all be closed on boxing day. I never shop on boxing day. Usually try to not shop between Xmas and new year.

pinkbalconyrailing · 10/12/2020 17:11

@Limer

Closed. For 3 reasons:
  1. To stop people making unnecessary shopping trips
  2. Supermarkets have made enough profit already this year
  3. To give the staff a well-earned day off
^^this
FippertyGibbett · 10/12/2020 17:14

I agree that all shops should be closed on Boxing Day.

Bridecilla · 10/12/2020 17:14

Close! 20 years ago I had a part time job at a department store restaurant whilst at school / college and uni

We were the only place in the city open. Us part timers had 1 uniform - i used to work Xmas eve and boxing day. My mam wouldn't let me put the washer on on Christmas day just for my uniform so I had to wash it in the sink.

Obviously I'm biased but they should definitely shut Grin

ImNotMeImSomeoneElse · 10/12/2020 17:19

Lots are closed on Boxing Day. Certainly my local Tesco is always closed, as are my nearest Lidl and Aldi. So I'm not sure how they are insisting they'll stay open Confused

mindutopia · 10/12/2020 17:37

I think it's perfectly fine to close, as long as they are compensating their employees who are missing out on the income that it would provide. To me, sounds a bit like a cost savings measure in economically difficult times...passing the 'costs' down to employees who might need the extra work at an expensive time of year. But I'm a cynic.

That said, with a house full of kids and houseguests and more family coming on Boxing day, I definitely don't have the fridge space to store food for 3 days and all those people, so I will be needing to go to the shops on Boxing Day to restock for round 2. So I hope somewhere will be open.

fussychica · 10/12/2020 17:42

Closed. Waitrose, our local supermarket, never opens on Boxing Day.