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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To wish there was some way to ban shops from starting their sales on Boxing Day

231 replies

Daisysbear · 08/12/2015 13:39

Yet again, unfortunate shop staff will have to turn up for work at crack of dawn on boxing day to deal with the throngs crowding in for the sales.

Years ago, it was just understood that the shops stayed closed for a couple of days after Christmas. Customers survived forty eight hours away from retail therapy, staff got a proper Christmas break, and we were all forced off the shopping treadmill for a couple of days.

AIBU to wish it was mandatory for all shops (except small corner shops etc selling essentials) to stay closed for at least one day after Christmas to stop all the frenzied buying.

ps I know this wouldn't really work in an increasingly multi-cultural and secular society, but it would just be nice if it could.

OP posts:
Witchend · 08/12/2015 14:31

I agree. I think Boxing day should also be shut. Everywhere. It won't make any difference to sales to leave it one more day. And I suggest if NEXT managers think it's a good idea, they should have to be there half an hour before any staff arrive. The higher they are in the business the earlier they should have to arrive.

Twitterqueen · 08/12/2015 14:32

I totally agree with you OP. My poor 16 yr old DD has her very first job and has to work until 9pm on Xmas Eve and then from 11am on Boxing Day. So she gets one day off. And she's trying to balance Christmas at hone with me and her siblings on Christmas Day and then second Christmas with her father on Boxing Day, which is now very much shortened.

Surely people can go 2 days without shopping... Xmas Sad

JustAnotherYellowBelly · 08/12/2015 14:33

I work in back office retail and it is stupid.
The amount of people who phone in sick (most of them genuinely sick as they've worked nearly all of December) and the cost to open the store... We have people queuing outside the door, completely blocking the through way. It's stupid. There aren't that many bargains to be had and I, for one, would like a lie in.
That said, this will be my third Boxing Day in a row as I'd rather those who travel to have the day off, with their families.

jorahmormont · 08/12/2015 14:33

Boxing Day is shit. Christmas is over and the thought of the rugby scrum-style crush when the shops finally did reopen again is terrifying.

If I'm offered a shift on boxing day I'll take it.

wheelofapps · 08/12/2015 14:33

I have NEVER been to a Next sale. I don't like their kids stuff anyway, and it seems to be the junk no-one else wanted? John Lewis also ships stuff in specially....

I think, with the availability of internet shopping now, everything bar petrol stations (and their wee shops) could shut for 48 hours and we would ALL benefit from the 'Winter Rest' holiday (doesn't have to be religious)

wheelofapps · 08/12/2015 14:35

Mind, in Scotland, Christmas Day was an ordinary working day for most people well into the 1960's. It is relatively recently been a holiday up here.

Hogmanay, however.... Grin [hic,hic!]

JustAnotherYellowBelly · 08/12/2015 14:37

Oh and we're counting the Saturday as Boxing Day too *Bunny

Original poster
Daisysbear · 08/12/2015 14:40

If I had my way all shops would close their doors at lunchtime on Christmas Eve and re-open at 9am on 28th December. I bet everyone would survive and some of the frenzied shoppers might even rediscover the delights of a blustery walk followed by a hot drink, or watching The Belles of St Trinians whilst eating a turkey sandwich, or hogging the kids' Beano annual while relaxing on the couch with a glass of merlot.

Corner shops could open for a few hours for people who run out of milk or bread or who forgot to buy a box of chocolates to bring to Auntie Jean's on Boxing Day.

OP posts:
megletthesecond · 08/12/2015 14:40

Yanbu. And the staff don't always get extra pay for it (used to work in retail but refused point blank to work boxing day).

I don't shop or internet shop on boxing day.

hollinhurst84 · 08/12/2015 14:40

Local McDonald's is open Christmas Day. I went there last year as was working Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, NYE and New Year's Day. Was really busy, mainly with my colleagues and other local staff!

HelenaDove · 08/12/2015 14:43

Its ridiculous How can shop staff enjoy Christmas knowing they have to be in at work at 5am.

I knew a young lad years ago who had to do it and his attitude was "They can have me in hung over or not at all"

HelenaDove · 08/12/2015 14:45

Daisy that is basically what used to happen back in the 80s I remember the shops closing at lunchtime on Christmas Eve.

Kettricken · 08/12/2015 14:45

YANBU. I am working until 11pm Xmas eve and in again 7am Boxing Day. Will spend Xmas day knackered. I work in a supermarket and it astounds me that there will be people food shopping on 26th December every year. When you see what goes in their trolleys before Xmas you wouldn't think they'd need any more food until January!

angelos02 · 08/12/2015 14:46

YANBU. Shopping is a means to an end for me. There are a million things I'd rather do than shop for tat that I don't need.

hollinhurst84 · 08/12/2015 14:46

But surely if you work retail, you know you will be working Boxing Day?
My job means I've worked every single Christmas and new year since 2008, but it's just part of the job. Christmas is another day, no different to any other for me and colleagues

Maryz · 08/12/2015 14:47

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

londonrach · 08/12/2015 14:48

Another one boycotting shops boxing day for 10 years now. No one has noticed. Who shops in next anyway now on boxing day. However it must be popular or else they wouldnt keep doing it!

GnocchiGnocchiWhosThere · 08/12/2015 14:48

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

rosie1959 · 08/12/2015 14:52

I am so old that I worked in retail in the mid 70`s shops closed on Boxing day as well as Sundays
The sales used to start in January

troubleinstore · 08/12/2015 14:53

If the shops are open the people will go ...the people deciding whether they open or not are the CEO's and Top Management. In big retail parks and shopping centres it's the people who run them who contractually force the shops to open. Small family run businesses decide their own opening times, hence they don't tend to open.

angelos02 · 08/12/2015 14:53

hollinhurst I think the OP means it is a shame that people have to work when there isn't a real necessity. Unlike A&E, care homes etc.

gallicgirl · 08/12/2015 14:54

But surely if you work retail, you know you will be working Boxing Day?

Actually, the shop has always been closed on Boxing Day, this is the first year it's opening. Also, working hours are expected to be longer through December.

Companies only respond to public demand. If we all stayed home on BD, they wouldn't bother to open.

Viviennemary · 08/12/2015 14:54

Can't see the harm in it if it's what shoppers want. Some supermarkets are closed I noticed. I don't bother much with sales these days. They're usually full of rubbish that you wouldn't normally buy so what's the point in them. We keep being told we're a multi faith country so why pull the Christmas rabbit out.

HelenaDove · 08/12/2015 14:55

And shop workers are increasingly being asked to do things that shouldnt be in their remit....like being expected to serve drunks!

hollinhurst84 · 08/12/2015 14:58

I think I'm just a bit grouchy Grin
My parents work every Christmas as do I so it's never been a time of holiday as such