Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
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:
Ohbehave1 · 12/12/2015 08:22

OP. YABU to say that big shops should stay shut but smaller shops should stay open. If you think shops shouldn't be open Boxing Day then it should be all, not just the ones you don't need!

MrsItsNoworNotatAll · 12/12/2015 09:07

Yanbu.

Supermarkets and big stores like Next etc could easily close on BD. I was really disappointed to see our local pub which only ever used to open for 2 hours on Xmas Day (and I could never see the point of that) is now going to open 12 - 11. I for one won't be going and nor will I go anywhere near a shop till after a Boxing Day. I really feel sorry for the retail staff who have to get up at stupid o'clock because saddos feel can't do without retail therapy for more than one day and decide they must have a greatly reduced pair of trainers. Sorry but if all you can find to do on BD is go shopping for things you likely don't need then you're a bit sad.

topcat2014 · 12/12/2015 09:18

I used to work in retail (gifts / tat), and we sold about 15 times as much in December as on a wet tuesday in February. Thus there was really no option but to open every day in December (apart from 25th) - and for long hours at that.

Shops will have paid their next quarters rent on 24th Dec in advance - that is why you always get some shops going bust on Christmas eve as they can't make the rent.

Ohbehave1 · 12/12/2015 09:47

Mrsitsnowornotatall. It's a bit off to call people saddo 's just because they don't conform to your way of thinking.

Any service industry is one where you can expect to work hours that you aren't keen on. I used to work for an events company and we were lucky. We had Christmas Day and Boxing Day off. But if Boxing Day had been required I would have had to do it.

I now finish on the 24th and go back on the 4th. But we have to provide cover every day including Christmas Day. One person needs to be at the end of a phone and ready to go in at a moments notice at all times. The industry we manufacture for is one that never stops so we need to make sure we don't stop them.

We live in a 24-7 world now. If you want to have time off at certain times you have to book it off or work in a job that doesn't require you to work.

InThisTogether · 12/12/2015 10:57

there is a petition on the Govenmnet website for this...
not sure it'd make much difference but you never know...
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/107166

bunnie1975 · 12/12/2015 11:02

I don't think about it tbh, my DH is a manager in a large train company, he will be up at 5am Xmas day and Boxing day for the next 5 years to go into work as will a train driver as all trains need to be started daily, even though they aren't actually running.

I sometimes take the DC shopping Boxing day at their request, but certainly not in the morning, we go after lunch for a mooch around, buy a few things if they want and that's it.

Itscliffmas · 12/12/2015 11:09

YANBU!! My store is open 05:00 - 19:00 on Boxing Day, which I think is insane! And guess who has the delightful 5am shift!

I can totally appreciate why we are open Boxing Day, (don't like it but I can see why) but 5am till 7pm is just greedy too much!

MrsItsNoworNotatAll · 12/12/2015 13:30

Obe to my mind they are bloody sad! But ultimately if they're happy then they won't give a hoot what I think.

But because they can't do without shopping for a couple of days mean some buggers have to give up time with their families over the festive period to go into work so they can go shopping.

If shops have to open on BD then open from 10-4 no earlier no later. Bloody ridiculous opening 5am to 7pm.

baublesbells · 12/12/2015 14:33

MrsIts

If you work in retail then you have to accept it, I don't feel sorry for the "poor buggers" whatsoever

Nobody is sad because they choose to shop on Boxing Day, someone people aren't fortunate to have families or have difficult families and appreciate being able to get out and about

HelenaDove · 12/12/2015 14:39

Whats wrong with a woodland walk.

You are coming across as very entitled baubles.

HelenaDove · 12/12/2015 14:41

I suppose you think the shop assistants that ended up with injuries on Black Friday last year should just suck it up.

ilovesooty · 12/12/2015 14:42

Perhaps if someone's completely alone on Christmas day and hasn't spoken to anyone they'd prefer not to undertake another solitary activity on Boxing day?

baublesbells · 12/12/2015 14:46

exactly my thoughts ilovesooty

Some people don't get to speak to anyone over Christmas and maybe shopping on Boxing Day helps them feel not so alone

Why do I come across as entitled? I worked in fucking retail for over 20 years !!

HelenaDove · 12/12/2015 14:51

Oh i see So its a case of "i was mugged so my neighbour should be mugged too"

You dont sound happy about the fact that you worked in retail.

There are other more worthwhile things someone on their own at Christmas could do rather than shopping.

HelenaDove · 12/12/2015 14:58

The problem of people being on their own at Christmas stretches back decades .....,long long before shops even opened on a Sunday let alone on days like Boxing Day. So what happened back then. There was more emphasis on community and society. People checked up on their neighbours to see if they were ok. This dosent happen now largely because society has ceased to exist in this way or form. And to say that consumerism should replace it and it should be placed on the shoulders of retail workers is quite frankly ridiculous.

ilovesooty · 12/12/2015 15:03

A lot of the very vulnerable people I work with would benefit if my organisation ran a service during Christmas. I shall be the first to volunteer if they ever do.

As it is I'm grateful to be able to fly out of the country on Christmas day and that public transport will be running and hotels, pubs and restaurants will be open when I get there. Most of the shops on Boxing day too but that is just an added bonus.

MrsItsNoworNotatAll · 12/12/2015 15:18

Nobody is sad because they choose to shop on Boxing Day

And shopping on the other three hundred and sixty odd days of the year just isn't enough for them?

Retail is horrible sector to work in. Christmas being the worse time of all for it. It needs reigning in but sadly it won't.

MrsItsNoworNotatAll · 12/12/2015 15:29

There are other more worthwhile things someone on their own at Christmas could do rather than shopping

Exactly!!

ilovesooty · 12/12/2015 15:36

What do you think those worthwhile things are, and will those of you who have families be choosing to do them?

MrsItsNoworNotatAll · 12/12/2015 15:40

Well certainly not bloody shopping that's for sure!

Three hundred and sixty odd days in the year to do that.

I don't know. I fancy a walk or a bike ride or maybe I'll stay in bed all day.

GracefulSwanPaddlingLegs · 12/12/2015 15:47

YANBU, I worked in retail & hospitality years ago. Our local McDonald's is open 7am-2pm on Christmas Day. Glad I moved sector.

Hihellohi · 12/12/2015 15:49

How is somebody sad because they want to go shopping on Boxing Day?
I for one don't celebrate xmas as such so I don't buy presents except for a few tins of biscuits to give to people. So for me, it's a way to get some good bargains that two days ago were being sold double the price!!

What's all this about a woodland walk? I live in London and there's no woodland near me to go walking in.

I used to work in retail too, I don't get this whole "oh boo hoo they have to work on Boxing Day" - it's not like you other days off to compensate. And anyway when you sign a contract it's all there that you might have to work on xyz days.

ilovesooty · 12/12/2015 16:01

I see. I'm awaiting interesting ideas about these worthwhile activities that are so worthwhile that families choose to do them at Christmas too. It might be relevant to next year in case I can't manage to go away.

Supermanspants · 12/12/2015 16:07

Sorry but lots of store staff and store owners aren't Christian and don't bother with Christmas

I was already under the impression that religion is not a pre requisite to 'bother with Christmas'.
Did you pull this out of thin air?

MrsItsNoworNotatAll · 12/12/2015 16:21

I cannot think of a single good reason why Maccy D's needs to open on Christmas Day.

But I'm sure someone will make one up.

Swipe left for the next trending thread