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Original poster

We should all boycott Next shops Boxing Day ( well too late for today as I was fast asleep at 6 am)

198 replies

Mammajay · 26/12/2019 12:47

I just heard a husband on the radio. His wife had to work Christmas eve ( no problem IMO with that) and also had to work today Boxing Day.. She had to be in work for 5.30 a.m. for the 6am Next Boxing Day sale. No public transport and Christmas Day overshadowed with the worry of getting up early enough to get ready and get to work for 5.30am. No choice about whether to work either. Spirit of Ebenezer Scrooge IMO. Very poor Next. 0/10 for caring about your staff!

OP posts:
NeedAnExpert · 26/12/2019 13:21

The staff have to prep the store and (so called) bargains before the 6am opening.

No, they don’t. That was all done on Xmas eve. They get to work half an hour before the doors open.

Jinglehellsbells · 26/12/2019 13:22

You still need staff regardless of when orders get posted out. I was working through Christmas evening for an online retailer.

TreeTopTim · 26/12/2019 13:23

I agree that shops should be closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day. I also think all non emergency businesses should be closed too.

I have worked in both retail and in a hospital and when I worked in a hospital I didn't mind working over Christmas because it is a viral service. Retail, theatres, restaurants are not. People can go a day or two without needing those.

Dizzygirl00 · 26/12/2019 13:25

@NailsNeedDoing
It IS a big deal for retail staff, who are generally treated appallingly by the companies they work for. While having sympathy about the fact that “Christmas is horrible for a lot of people” this is not retail staff’s fault and is not more important than shop staff having two days off at Christmas. Retail staff have lots of restrictions on when they can take their holiday throughout the year and as a result many lose their entitlement due to not being able to book because the company policy is no more than two off at a time!

dayslikethese1 · 26/12/2019 13:25

I will never understand why ppl want to go to Next at 5am Boxing Day. But then I never go into Next anytime. Are the bargains really that great?

Corneliawildthing · 26/12/2019 13:27

I can't imagine getting up to be at Next for 6am, however big the bargain was. I used their "VIP slot" to order some stuff which will be delivered....in February. Why do they pretend to offer stuff that they don't even have Angry

NeedAnExpert · 26/12/2019 13:27

Retail, theatres, restaurants are not. People can go a day or two without needing those.

Boxing Day theatre has been a tradition for centuries. Hmm

FlamingoAndJohn · 26/12/2019 13:29

You know that still involves people working Xmas day and Boxing Day, right?

How do you figure that? All the stock details will be added in the run up to Christmas. People won’t be packing and dispatching until later.

Tetran · 26/12/2019 13:33

I'm trying to think of a reason that they couldn't just open at 8am or whatever time they normally open, but failing.

Original poster
Mammajay · 26/12/2019 13:34

I used to work in a hotel and had no problem with working Christmas day. We finished eleven pm Christmas eve and did 7-3 Christmas day. We lived in the hotel. Next 6am start is ridiculous. Debenhams 10am less ridiculous IMO although I think boxing day closure is better.

OP posts:
lovemenorca · 26/12/2019 13:36

Next? Wouldn’t want to go there on any day of the year. The just bland boring clothing on the high street

lovemenorca · 26/12/2019 13:37

The most bland...

NeedAnExpert · 26/12/2019 13:38

How do you figure that? All the stock details will be added in the run up to Christmas. People won’t be packing and dispatching until later.

Because websites don’t happen by magic. Ex-BIL was a graphic designer who had to work on sites on Xmas day and DH is an IT consultant who is usually on call in case of problems (both for retail sites and the finance companies that process the payments). This is his first Xmas off in over 10 years.

That’s how I figure that. Hmm

Villageidiots · 26/12/2019 13:40

A lot of people aren't bothered and will happily take the shifts, my DS included. He will see us and friends tonight.

Marriedtoapenguin · 26/12/2019 13:41

Personally I've always found the Next sale, other than a few items per store, to be full of the crap they simply can't shift, with very few genuine bargains.

Problem is that the internet doesn't close. If shops shut then yes staff do get time off but consumers have spent online but also break the habit of shopping in store on boxing day

CheesecakeAddict · 26/12/2019 13:41

I disagree much more with people going out for meals on Christmas Day. At least those retail staff get a Christmas day, but those working in pubs don't. But no, I don't go out boxing day either. I've just spent a month doing nothing but shop; I can't think of anything worse than spending yet another day in a busy shop.

Deathraystare · 26/12/2019 13:41

At least when I work Christmas Day, the NHS (Gawd bless em) put on a taxi for me -mind you we have to wait so long/they get things mixed up so if I had to work this year I would have walked to work. But at least I have that option.

Daffodil55 · 26/12/2019 13:46

I refuse to go through the threshold of the Next stores on big sale days. Reason is they cram the rails with what can only be described as tat which has not ever been in their stores before and while it may be all above board and legal I find it insulting to the public who (a proportion of them anyway) think they are getting fab bargains.

I don't see this in any store other than Next.

Any Next employees on here?

katseyes7 · 26/12/2019 13:52

My friend used to work for Next. She used to have to be up at stupid o'clock on Boxing Day to be in work.
Because of that she had to go to bed ridiculously early on Christmas Night, which spoiled Christmas Day for her and her entire family.
Nobody needs to go shopping for tat in a sale at a stupidly early hour on Boxing Day. Nobody.
lt's nothing but corporate greed. There's no need for it at all.

Gfplux · 26/12/2019 13:53

Why do people need to go shopping on Boxing Day.
Where I live (LUXEMBOURG) almost nothing open and it is so peaceful and a perfect rest day.

Leflic · 26/12/2019 13:57

If people really needed to work for money/ something to do on Boxing Day there are plenty of casual jobs available - driving, cleaning, childcare whatever.

It’s appalling anyone needs to get up at 4am for a stupid sale at 5am on a public holiday. Doesn’t matter if you are celebrating Christmas or not.

I know loads of farmers, emergency services and others who work Chrustmas day. There is either no choice ( farmers) or they are paid extra to compensate. Retail falls into nether category.

DariaMorgendorffer · 26/12/2019 14:03

Agree 100%

NeedAnExpert · 26/12/2019 14:03

Why do people need to go shopping on Boxing Day.
Where I live (LUXEMBOURG) almost nothing open and it is so peaceful and a perfect rest day.

Conversely I am in the Canaries. Almost nothing was shut yesterday.

Legoandloldolls · 26/12/2019 14:04

Thing is some people have to work. Eg emergency services NHS, care staff. I dont believe anyone is selfish for "choosing" to eg have a heart attack Christmas day Hmm

But there are sales on every bloody month. I can get sale items any month if the year. Next is full of people bulk buying to sell on Ebay anyway.

Retail, hospitality etc should shut. But someone will always HAVE to work. It's life or death for some.

LH1987 · 26/12/2019 14:06

Personally when I worked in retail / hospitality I liked the extra pay I got for workin Boxing Day and Sundays. I’m sure it’s helpful to others as well after an expensive Christmas.

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