Page 3 | AIBU to not want shops open boxing day

IncyWincyGrownUp · 20/12/2021 13:17

Most of the country kicks back into gear on Boxing Day, retail isn’t special so why should it be exempt?

I used to quite like Boxing Day to be honest; we closed the fitting rooms which meant less mess and more staff on tills and the floor, it was mostly returns and exchanges, so fewer dithering people moping about not knowing what to buy for somebody, and it was usually a short day so six hour shift at most.

pigsDOfly · 20/12/2021 13:20

This need to have shops open all the time is a relatively recent thing.

When I was growing up shops opened at 9am and closed around 5/5.30pm during the week. Most closed at around midday on Saturday and opened again on Monday morning, in fact I think the Co op stayed closed until Monday lunch time if I remember correctly although, I could be wrong about that.

There was an early closing day in every town - around 12.30 - in the middle of the week usually on Wednesday or Thursday.

All shops were closed on Bank holidays and on Christmas day and Boxing day.

Despite the fact that not every home had things like fridges or freezer we somehow managed not to run out of food.

I know people's lives are different now and we live a 24 hour lifestyle and I'm not suggesting anyone would want to go back to the way it was but surely, no one desperately needs to go shopping for clothes or furniture on Boxing day and surely most people can buy enough food to last a couple of days if the shops were closed on Boxing day.

RedHelenB · 20/12/2021 13:24

@Moomoo75

So basically I work in retail and have to work the sale on boxing day. AIBU to not want to work on this day to want to spend spend it with my family. With the surge in covid no.s etc is a sale the day after Christmas really necessary? 😪

Yanbu and I never shop 9n Boxing Day on principle and now my dc won't either.

LittlePearl · 20/12/2021 13:26

I think it's very sad that shops open on Boxing Day and 1 Jan.

Actually I'd quite like to go back to shops being shut on Sundays too. I think it would give a better rhythm to the week.

MiniatureHotdog · 20/12/2021 13:30

I don't ever go in a shop on boxing day or new years day on principle that I don't think they should be open as retail workers should have the time off. They're not essential unlike other jobs which are. It's not hard to cope for two days without going in a shop.

toastofthetown · 20/12/2021 13:30

@LittlePearl

I think it's very sad that shops open on Boxing Day and 1 Jan.

Actually I'd quite like to go back to shops being shut on Sundays too. I think it would give a better rhythm to the week.

Do you think that restaurants, hospitality, sporting fixtures, concerts, cinemas, swimming pools, spas, bowling alleys, theme parks, zoos, gyms etc. should also close each Sunday?

Chloemol · 20/12/2021 13:31

I agree all shops should be shut Boxing Day

LittleRoundRobin · 20/12/2021 13:33

@teenagetantrums

If you don't want to work bank holidays look at changing your job.

BINGO!

@MorningStarling

YABU. If shops want to open and people want to visit them they should be allowed to. If you work in retail you know that there is a risk you will have to work weekends and bank holidays, it's not a 9-5 Mon-Fri type of job. A lot of people are grateful to work on bank holidays because they get extra pay. People shouldn't be obliged to work at Christmas, but shops should be free to offer their staff bonuses/higher wages to lure them in.

Are you having a laugh?! You are deluded, and clearly do not work in retail! (OR hospitality OR factories or anywhere where you are expected to work Christmas!)

@Ducksareruiningmypatio is right when she says

'Hahahahahaaaaa!! They get fuck all extra in a lot of cases other than threats if they don't work it.

Yep, this. ^

LittleRoundRobin · 20/12/2021 13:33

@liveforsummer

And people are referencing NEXT because they are ALWAYS OPEN Boxing Day. And this year is no different.

The first 3 I looked at are open Boxing Day, so I don't know where the NEXT store is that YOU are on about.

Telford Open Boxing Day

www.telfordcentre.com/visit/opening-hours/

Merry Hill Dudley Open Boxing Day

www.birminghammail.co.uk/whats-on/shopping/merry-hill-christmas-opening-times-22247431

Shrewsbury Open Boxing Day

www.openingtimesin.uk/next-shrewsbury-town-centre

I am sure there are many, MANY more

So, as I said, what NEXT stores are YOU on about that are not open Boxing Day?

In addition, most shopping centres are open Boxing Day, so I highly doubt many big stores will not be open then. They get fuckloads of shoppers, like hell are they going to stay shut.

The Mander Shopping Centre Wolverhampton Open Boxing Day.

enjoywolverhampton.com/enjoy/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Mander-Centre-Opening-Hours.pdf

Potteries Shopping Centre Stoke._ Open Boxing Day.

www.visitstoke.co.uk/see-and-do/the-potteries-centre-p1031501

Brent Cross Shopping Centre, London Open Boxing Day.

www.brentcross.co.uk/opening-hours?tab=1qu4Ei3B7CGuZ3nj2SpTt2

As I say, like hell will the 'big stores' not open if the Shopping Centres are open.

FreedomFaith · 20/12/2021 13:33

I don't think any shop should be open on boxing day. If you seriously cannot plan in advance to have food in your house, then you've got bigger problems that need seriously dealt with. Really, I think everywhere except emergency services should be closed. Even hotels should be closed to allow everyone to have a break over Christmas day and boxing day.

happytoday73 · 20/12/2021 13:36

@Shoxfordian why do you say the OP had last year boxing day off? Lots of areas in the country didn't go into lock down till NYE even if they had been locked down prior

purpledagger · 20/12/2021 13:40

I used to work in retail when I was a student always worked on Boxing Day. I didn't mind working it because I got time and half and had no real commitments. I do admit to going to the Boxing Day sales, once started office work.

Now, as I've got older and my circumstances have changed, I'm against shops being open on Boxing Day. Shops are more accessible than ever now, with extended opening hours and online shopping, so there is no need to be open on Boxing Day.

Northofsomewhere · 20/12/2021 13:42

I absolutely agree, I worked 2 boxing days in a row in a supermarket, it closed last year but is one of the few opening this year. I've had to book it off in order to not work it even though my department would make a loss (time and a half with 2 staff) and the rest of the store is quiet too. Everyone seemed to manage with stores closed last year and those weeks leading up to Xmas/new year (very busy department for new year) are absolutely shit. Everyone is stressed, you can't find half your stock because everywhere is rammed, there are more rude customers with little understanding of why I can't help them, we deserve 2 days off. As far as I've been told the sale doesn't begin on our stock until the 27th anyway, my department doesn't do sales so I can't be 100% certain though.

I'm absolutely fine with sales starting online on boxing Day (there's no need to pick them that day though) but why do we need to shop in store on that day? Also pretty certain most places are quiet compared to online so people can wait 1 more day to shop in store and with mask restrictions I think it'll be low again this year.

I'd like to know which other non essential industries go back on boxing day? All my office based friends don't go back until the new year? Retail, even supermarkets don't need to be open on boxing Day.

ieatpies · 20/12/2021 13:48

YANBU

There's not need for most shops to be open. Anybody who says "if shops want to open" should realise that it's likely some arse in head office making that decision who probably gets both days off.

They won't be on the shop floor getting yelled at and coughed on by some foul-mouthed horror on the 26th because Aunty Nellie didn't like her present and they demand a cash refund IMMEDIATELY and no they don't have the receipt.

FreedomFaith · 20/12/2021 13:54

Those who want shops open, are you prepared to work in them? You can take the place of someone who doesn't want to be there. Extra money for you and you get to buy your shopping too.

Theoldcuriosityshop · 20/12/2021 14:05

Our Morrisons is closed Boxing Day.

sbhydrogen · 20/12/2021 14:18

I'd be happy if shops reopened on the 28th. Have a few days off.

icedcoffees · 20/12/2021 14:21

YANBU.

But I used to work in retail (clothing) and, without fail, Boxing Day was the busiest day of the entire year. We would easily make 7-8 times the amount we made on a normal day, often more. It was absolutely insane how busy it was.

Livpool · 20/12/2021 14:28

YANBU - there is no need for them to be open

ItsSnowJokes · 20/12/2021 14:32

I refuse to shop on Boxing Day for this reason. If people can't get enough stuff in to give retail workers 2 days off then it is a sad state of affairs. Some retailers have said they won't open this year and they will get my business.

fourdayholiday · 20/12/2021 14:39

I agree OP and was pleased to see a couple of local shops closed on December 26th this year, as I understand is Morrissons.

I'd like a law that other than food shops on limited hours and newsagents, all should be shut on December 25th and 26th.

cherryonthecakes · 20/12/2021 14:41

I'd add chemists to that list

AuntyBumBum · 20/12/2021 14:41

YABU, covid won't have gone away by 27th.

AnotherMansCause · 20/12/2021 14:42

I completely agree OP. Very pleased to see that one of our local supermarkets (a big chain not a little independent) is closed for 3 days over Christmas. The staff deserve it.

cherryonthecakes · 20/12/2021 14:43

@ItsSnowJokes

I refuse to shop on Boxing Day for this reason. If people can't get enough stuff in to give retail workers 2 days off then it is a sad state of affairs. Some retailers have said they won't open this year and they will get my business.

Those businesses will probably have people come in on the 26th to set things up so that they can reopen on the 27th.