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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:
Longma · 23/12/2023 07:41

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines. at the request of it's author.

MikeRafone · 23/12/2023 07:41

naughtynine

it was happening in the 1970s, sales started on 27th and people sleeping out on Boxing Day night - as a child I thought it was crazy. It was alway shown on tv and people were sitting on camping chairs and took flasks of coffee with them - crazy

then the internet arrived and the biggest shopping day was xmas day

MikeRafone · 23/12/2023 07:42

@PuttingDownRoots

my boss has had to refuse people working xmas day, he had to many volunteering to work!

RaininSummer · 23/12/2023 07:43

I didn't realize that supermarkets were open on boxing day to be honest so it's good that they will be closed. Up until at least the last 80s, I would go to the sales the day after Boxing Day.

Knackeredhamster · 23/12/2023 07:46

Can't believe our local Morrisons is open for a few hours Xmas day.

Yes I've worked in a supermarket.

MonkeyHarold · 23/12/2023 07:47

@MrsSkylerWhite where did you live that the shops were closed for seven days?

Taytocrisps · 23/12/2023 07:49

I'm really glad to hear that. I worked in a jewellery shop about 30 years ago and we were closed on Christmas Day and St. Stephen's Day. We were due back on the 27th. Very few shops were open on the 27th and we were grumbling about having to work that day. Obviously the retail industry has changed hugely since then and I always feel vey sorry for the poor retail staff having just one day off over the festive season. And maybe back in at some crazy hour on St. Stephen's Day to start gearing up for sales.

wronginalltherightways · 23/12/2023 07:52

Snowyballs · 23/12/2023 01:19

Only the very privileged could assume that not working on the 26th is what retail workers want

Edited

Yep

Taytocrisps · 23/12/2023 07:53

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

Yes, I remember that too.

AInightingale · 23/12/2023 07:54

Yep. No need to open at all as any necessities can be bought in v large petrol station shops that are everywhere, and most people don't eat much on Boxing Day anyway.

Heyhoherewegoagain · 23/12/2023 07:58

PuttingDownRoots · 23/12/2023 07:21

O/t... but I do wonder what happens to the excess milk from the shops being closed two days in a row. Its not like the cows can have a day off...

Or does the farmer simply lose out on the money?

It’s almost like forward planning isn’t a thing…

rainpleasestop · 23/12/2023 08:00

Is it extra pay and day off in lieu of work a bank holiday in supermarkets? I'd much rather be able to get the money. Luckily for me the NHS is still open Grin

MrsMurphyIWish · 23/12/2023 08:01

When I was a student, I would volunteer to work (pub) Xmas Eve, Xmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Eve and Day as was paid (time and a half/double) and also would receive almost the same in tips! Those two weeks really helped with my finances. Don’t stores take on seasonal workers anymore?

Daffodilsandtuplips · 23/12/2023 08:01

I worked in a House of Fraser department store for several years. The shops were closed on Boxing Day back then but that didn’t mean the staff had the day off. The Sales started on the 27th Dec and that meant we had to go in on Boxing Day at 8.00am to take the Christmas merchandise off the shelves and bring in the sales goods. Window displays team had already changed the displays on Christmas Eve.
The buses were Sunday Service only, didn’t start running until 10.00am so the boss arranged for those without transport to be picked up by the delivery van. I was one of them, No seats just big foam blocks around the vans sides.

Paddington98 · 23/12/2023 08:04

To be honest when I was younger and working in retail we all chose to work Boxing Day for the overtime and to make the extra money. Nobody was there unless through choice. We wanted the extra cash and some people needed it.

Viviennemary · 23/12/2023 08:04

I dont usually shop on boxing day. But I think customers should have the opportunity to shop then if they want to.

agentcooperinthewhitelodge · 23/12/2023 08:05

The shops that are shut for boxing day aren't suddenly become benevolent towards staff it will be because its not financially viable to be open that day

This. I am LOL that people think it's because of their generosity and benevolence like scrooge after a visit from Christmas past. Its a financial decision.

Pinko1 · 23/12/2023 08:09

The Entertainer store closes on Sundays. I always found this mad as they lose business but now I think brilliant for looking after their staff

FlyingCherub · 23/12/2023 08:09

Not only the retail staff but all the delivery drivers who would have to work on Christmas day/evening to stock these stores. It's ridiculous that so much panic buying goes on in supermarkets over Christmas as it is. It's one or two days at best, we went to M & S last night and it was absolute carnage in there!

Silvertree188 · 23/12/2023 08:10

It’s good that the shops are closed but the retailers aren’t giving us Boxing Day off we have to pay it back .

sleepyscientist · 23/12/2023 08:12

Pinko1 · 23/12/2023 08:09

The Entertainer store closes on Sundays. I always found this mad as they lose business but now I think brilliant for looking after their staff

They could open on a Sunday and allow the young kids who want a job to run the store. I work shifts absolutely hate working a Saturday but fine with a Sunday, as you aren't going to go out on the sunday night as it's a school night plus shops etc close early and open late so the day a right off. If we work a bank holiday we get the day back as annual leave to use somewhere else so not missing out, same with working a weekend we get days off in the week

Willmafrockfit · 23/12/2023 08:15

young kids need some senior staff

Willmafrockfit · 23/12/2023 08:15

anyway there are plenty of places where staff will still have to work

BoohooWoohoo · 23/12/2023 08:18

Pinko1 · 23/12/2023 08:09

The Entertainer store closes on Sundays. I always found this mad as they lose business but now I think brilliant for looking after their staff

I heard it’s because the owner is religious so sees Sunday as a day of rest. No idea if this extends to online orders and deliveries to stores though.

Ninkinpopodopolis · 23/12/2023 08:21

I worked Nightshift for M&S a few years ago. Due to their no work on boxing day we couldn't start our shift until a minute past midnight on the 27th. Meaning in reality we were still working boxing day night but technically didn't qualify for any extra pay. My boxing day was still spent waiting around to go to work 😡 I wonder how many over self righteous companies do this as people still expect the shelves to be filled and the sake stock ticketed when the stores reopen?

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