To be happy that the boxing Day sales will probably be cancelled?

[TheSpiritofSalem]

I used to work in M&S. In the year before I left, my store started opening on Boxing Day.

None of us, even the managers, wanted to work the (completely unnecessary) Boxing Day shift (which began at 7am!!!)

Even worse, 90% of the customers were miserable and complaining about the fact that we were open!

-"I can't believe you're open today. You should be getting the day off like the rest of us..."

• "In my day, the sales started in January."
• "Companies like yours are just greedy opening on a day like this."

and on and on and on...

I no longer work in retail, but I'm hoping that with lockdown looming, the sales will be moved back a few days this year, giving retail staff a much needed festive break.

Who's with me?

I am not sure this will happen, but would be very pleased if it did. I signed the petition for Boxing Day shop closures a few years ago.

Back when I were a lass, the sales didn't start before 27th Dec, and depending on the day of the week, might have been even later.

People paid attentions n tomthe dates (published in newspapers) and the sales seemed so much more exciting - genuine reductions NHS in worthwhile stock, not stuff that was brought in for the sales.

It was newsworthy when shops first began to open on Boxing Day itself. But of course it wasn't that long ago that Christmas openings were common - you' only got tomwatch On The Buses, set in the 70s to realise London bus drivers worked on Christmas Day, because the shut down really wasn't total.

I think we have a bit of an over-sentimental view of how much everything closes for Christmas, thinking it's somehow naturally 'right' even though it's pretty recent

That said, I would like to see greater restriction on Sunday trading. Because I think it is good for everyone's wellbeing to have the expectation of rest. Other European countries still pretty much close down, so it's not going to be a killer blow to the economy.

Workers would find time to shop themselves in the same way as they did up to the mid-1980s (when evenings and Sunday openings become common beyond London), made all the easier by online shopping

I absolutely don't think it should be online only, that would be the final nail in the coffin for the high Street and shopping centres and as convenient as online shopping is, I don't really want derelict towns and millions of job losses if retail loses its most profitable quarter.

If they manage to completely close down because they had online sales only for ONE day (boxing day), they weren't doing well in the first place. Nothing would have saved them, even being open on boxing day. They would still make money online anyway.

The Next sale has still gone ahead in store during lockdown so I don’t know why you think Boxing Day won’t happen?

Tk maxx is open Boxing Day.

I'm surprised at the amount of people who do not realise online sales also require staff. So let's give the store staff the day off, because you don't like to see the poor people having to work Boxing Day, but we will all stay at home and shop online! Does it not matter about those staff members because you don't see them?

I worked for Virgin Megastores back when they existed, I spent every Christmas Eve being shouted at because we didn't have everything that someone wanted for their children's entire Christmas list, ten minutes before closing, and Boxing Day being shouted at because the dvd they got from Aunt Mabel (bought from Tesco) didn't work and it was my fault that "Christmas had been ruined so I want a refund".

The general public are by and large, pricks. I refuse to go into shops on Christmas Eve or Boxing Day.

Agree OP - I used to work in John Lewis and it was exactly the same. Plus all people did was return things heather had received for Christmas

So people went shopping but moaned that you were open

Exactly this doesn't make sense. Even if they were complaining they obviously didn't mean it as they were out shopping

OP I expect shops get a lot of business on Boxing Day so I wouldn't say it's unnecessary but I can understand people not wanting to work then.

I suspect lots of sales will be pre Christmas this year to tempt people to spend.

Back when I were a lass, the sales didn't start before 27th Dec, and depending on the day of the week, might have been even later.

I remember when they didn't start until 2 January (1 Jan being a BH and hence CLOSED), or the 3rd if 1st or 2nd was a Sunday.

They were called the January Sales. ISTR they lasted most of the month too.

[quote ViciousJackdaw]@EnglishGirlApproximately Agreed, businesses need to stay afloat or there will be catastrophic effects. Let's bear in mind that many people will be happy to work on Boxing Day. Some will be desperate for the money, others will welcome the distraction as Christmas isn't full of glittery magic for everyone. If you don't like the shops being open then stay at home. Don't like the adverts? Ignore them.[/quote]
But for most retail staff it isn’t a choice.

I agree OP.

Why would you work in retail if you’re so opposed to working bank holidays?? Bizarre.

I'm surprised at the amount of people who do not realise online sales also require staff. So let's give the store staff the day off, because you don't like to see the poor people having to work Boxing Day, but we will all stay at home and shop online! Does it not matter about those staff members because you don't see them?

No you don't need those staff working either. The only staff that might need to work are technical staff that would need to get the website working again if it went down. They are generally on a on call rota which pays a lot extra if you are on call over Christmas or any holiday. Any time I've worked on call like that, people are quite happy to offer to work it, because the chances of you getting a call are slim anyway and if you do, you get a lot of extra money for usually a simple fix.

But you don't need anyone in call centres working. If people have an issue with their account and they are that desperate to get a bargain (which usually isn't a bargain anymore these days), make a new account with a new email address. It's not difficult.

The sales will have started before Christmas. I dont know who they think will be buying all those sequined dresses and party tops, but its not going to shift in a year with no Christmas parties or new year's eve parties.

The whole "new sofa/dining table for Christmas" advertising assumes visitors.

Store chains that are struggling aren't going to voluntarily give up what is know to be a good trading day. The government has used up all the good will, if shops are allowed to be open, they will be open, with deals to try to get the public in.

@cakerequired the amount of money taken in retail on boxing day in many shops is huge, the 'golden quarter' can absolutely make or break a year and in a year thats already got shops running close to the bone it could make a difference. Black Friday is unlikely to be busy and many shops are already trading massively down on previous years. Being 30% down over the quarter will absolutely see businesses fail and boxing day is a huge part of it. Not all companies have online businesses and even if they do, online sales don't keep shops open.

I'm far from a fan of boxing day opening, and don't go to the shops myself having worked in retail management for 10 years before I had DS. DP is a retail manager and as much as I'd like him to finally have a boxing day off, this year isn't the year to make any changes. They need every opportunity to make as much money as possible to make up for the time they were closed.

No you don't need those staff working either. The only staff that might need to work are technical staff that would need to get the website working again if it went down. They are generally on a on call rota which pays a lot extra if you are on call over Christmas or any holiday. Any time I've worked on call like that, people are quite happy to offer to work it, because the chances of you getting a call are slim anyway and if you do, you get a lot of extra money for usually a simple fix.

Wait, how exactly do you think online orders are processed and sent out to your home? Do you really think I was talking about tech staff when I mentioned the unseen manpower Involved in online sales? Really?

But you don't need anyone in call centres working. If people have an issue with their account and they are that desperate to get a bargain (which usually isn't a bargain anymore these days), make a new account with a new email address. It's not difficult.

It clearly is difficult. I wasn't talking about call centres.

Unless we're in lockdown/the law prevents it in some way there will be sales. Shops have lost so much money this year, they will need to get people in. And people will go and queue up as normal.

Online sales dont need to be processed that day though. That's the only reason you would need staff working boxing day.

Boxing day is a Saturday this year, though im think the Monday and Tuesday are bank holidays too, but don't quote me. Being a Saturday im sure a few retailers will be open as its a prime trading day, though i think it depends where we are on covid rules during that time. I think some retailers who have thrived during this will close to thank staff, those that haven't thrived will probably open.
For the record, I'd rather they were shut, i used to work in retail in my younger days, im currently in a role that requires 365 days 24/7 shift patterns. Im very happy to have boxing day of this year and will be enjoying the festivities at home for the first time in a long time. I definitely won't be standing in a que for Next sale, in the cold for hours while they let a limited amount of customers in a time. I couldn't think of anything worse, and im saying that as someone who buys our grandaughters clothes for the following winter in the sales to help out as her parents have both been finacially impacted by the events this year.
I hope everyone who works in retail that has Boxing day off this year has a lovely day

@pollylocketpickedapocket

Why would you work in retail if you’re so opposed to working bank holidays?? Bizarre.

Because you need the money and it's the only or best option open to you?

So customers who came in on Boxing Day moaned because you were open on Boxing Day?
If they didn’t go in ,in the first place shops probably wouldn’t open as they’d know they’d not get the foot traffic

YANBU. I’ve long thought Boxing Day sales should fall by the wayside! All those poor retail workers dragged away from their families to serve hordes of stroppy customers when everyone would surely be happier tucked up at home watching films in their jammies, or going for a brisk, cobweb-clearing walk in the countryside, or seeing the family you didn’t see on Christmas Day (ok maybe not that one this year). It doesn’t actually benefit anyone except giant companies, let’s ditch the whole thing!

In a lot of ways the high street doesn't have a choice as the internet doesn't close.

I can imagine suppliers getting brutalized this year though as I can see the big hitters making them hold back inventory until next year, especially the party season wear.