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Original poster

To say ‘well done’ to the bosses of M&S, Waitrose, Lidl & Aldi

381 replies

MargaritaThyme · 23/12/2023 00:00

For deciding not to open their stores on Boxing Day, thereby giving their staff, who have been working very hard through December, a proper break with their loved ones?

OP posts:
Rafting2022 · 23/12/2023 00:01

Yes hopefully it will become the norm and more will follow suit like in the old days.

Redshoeblueshoe · 23/12/2023 00:03

Yes absolutely

NameChange259 · 23/12/2023 00:04

Also thanks to Next - eventually came to reason after years of stupid Boxing Day sales.

MeandBobbyMcGoo · 23/12/2023 00:05

Yes absolutely. I went into town today and M&S was of course super busy. There were so many staff members helping, all tills were open - an absolute joy.

Thisisthedawningoftheageofaquarius · 23/12/2023 00:06

Definitely! I hope they see this!!

Crunchingleaf · 23/12/2023 00:11

When I was young January sales were a thing, there was no going shopping straight after Christmas. I have always detested seeing retail opening up on the 26th. The staff deserve a break. Let them actually let their hair down or visit family for Christmas without having to worry about work the next day.
So fair play to any company that stays closed on the 26th

MrsSkylerWhite · 23/12/2023 00:13

Yes! Noticed this a week ago and was really pleased.

When I was a child, shops were closed for 7 days. It was fine.

lightisnotwhite · 23/12/2023 00:16

Yes!
Times have changed again.
I can see how Sunday opening, 24 hour and late night shopping came to be a thing. Society had more money and wanted to spend it and retail wanted a bit of it.
Gradually things are parring back again. Less working hours and online deliveries means we don't physically need to be out in the shops every hour of every day..

Its much more important that people have time off if they can. Good for them

WhateverMate · 23/12/2023 00:17

YANBU

My local Morrisons has never opened on Boxing Day.

mrsfollowill · 23/12/2023 00:17

100% agree- no-one needs to buy clothes at 6am Boxing day.

lightisnotwhite · 23/12/2023 00:21

NameChange259 · 23/12/2023 00:04

Also thanks to Next - eventually came to reason after years of stupid Boxing Day sales.

This

Who actually thought up 5am opening on Boxing day? What value does that add to society.

Nottogetapenny · 23/12/2023 00:24

I totally agree, shops should stay closed Boxing Day (as they did years ago).
So people who work extremely hard in retail get a proper break!
They can’t really relax on Christmas Day, knowing they are at work the following day.
Nobody needs to go shopping

naughtynine · 23/12/2023 00:25

When I was young January sales were a thing, there was no going shopping straight after Christmas.

How old are you? When I was young hitting Oxford street etc for the Boxing day sales was a big thing

alltoomuchrightnow · 23/12/2023 00:25

I'm working BD in retail and it will be rammed, always is, no sales, we have them before Christmas. But, it was the only way I could secure getting N Y Day off. Have to do one or the other

FriedasCarLoad · 23/12/2023 00:36

Couldn't agree more - only the most vital shops (petrol stations and some pharmacies) should open on Boxing Day.

This is a less popular view, but I'd love to return to that for Sundays, too.

MagpieCastle · 23/12/2023 00:45

I hope the big retailers listen and boxing day off becomes a trend. When making choices who to buy from a lot of people would prefer to spend their money with companies who have a reputation of considering their employees. All those cute Christmas ads in the world won’t make up for treating staff badly.

lightisnotwhite · 23/12/2023 00:53

@MagpieCastle Absolutely
I give you Barcelona. Huge tourist city with thousands who are used to Sunday shopping. Does the big Carrefour on La Rambla care? Nah it shuts on Sundays. As do all the shops in the afternoon. Inconvenient certainty but no one dies. Its perfectly possible to have a great city where people live and work without retail being the end all.

Reigateforever · 23/12/2023 00:54

Good idea considering that some shop a few years ago were wanting to open on Christmas Day.

Atishooooo · 23/12/2023 00:57

Absolutely agree. More large chains should see the value in this.

Scarletttulips · 23/12/2023 00:59

Thry make the online sales - and who is running that?

Just because the shops aren’t open doesn’t mean the workers have the day off.

People drive the sales - the shops respond.

Travelfan2021 · 23/12/2023 00:59

This reply has been withdrawn

Removed at poster's request due to privacy concerns.

Scarletttulips · 23/12/2023 01:00

Posted too soon.

Yoi can choose not to shop on Boxing Day - you can buy petrol days before and medication. No reason for any shop to open.

Sid077 · 23/12/2023 01:07

100% agree no one needs to be shopping for clothes at 0600 on Stephen’s Day, delighted for Next Staff and any other shops that prioritise their Staff’s work life balance.👏

Wetblanket78 · 23/12/2023 01:09

I got an message today saying wetherspoons will be open Christmas day. I hope staff are being paid double time. Also it will take business away from local pubs that are still actually open.

MechyMagic · 23/12/2023 01:11

Picked up a seasonal job in retail this year - forgot how hard it is! Worked til 00.00 tonight, 00.00 tomorrow (well today now) and back in at 7am on Boxing Day.

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