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Here’s the full list of supermarkets and shops which are closing on Boxing Day 2021
A number of supermarkets have decided to reward their staff
As Christmas looms, a number of supermarkets and retailers have revealed that they will be closing their doors on Boxing Day.
After a gruelling year, these retailers will be closing for one extra day to give their staff a well-deserved day off to spend with friends and family over the festive period.
Here’s who will be closed and everything else you need to know…
M&S – Manchester / Facebook
Marks & Spencer
As per tradition for the supermarket, Marks & Spencer will be closing its doors on Boxing Day to thank staff for their hard work over the past year.
CEO Steve Rowe said in a statement: “Up and down the country, our colleagues have been there for our customers in the most challenging of circumstances.
“As a small thank you for their incredible hard work, we’ve taken the decision to close our operations on Boxing Day once again this year, to enable our colleagues to spend more time with their family and loved ones.”
Morrisons
Morrisons will be closing its supermarkets for two consecutive days, Christmas Day and Boxing Day, despite remaining open last year.
A Morrisons spokesperson told the BBC: “Everyone at Morrisons has worked incredibly hard over the last eighteen months as we’ve responded to the unprecedented challenges of a global pandemic, serving our customers and local communities.
“So this year, we’re taking the exceptional step of closing all our supermarkets on Boxing Day, so as many colleagues as possible can enjoy a two day weekend break with family and friends.”
David Smith / Geograph
Aldi
The budget supermarket will be closing on Boxing Day, as it has done for the last three decades, to thank its staff for their hard work throughout the year.
Aldi’s recruitment director Kelly Stokes said the move was in recognition of workers’ dedication over the pandemic: “This is why we will once again be keeping our stores closed on Boxing Day, and it’s been really encouraging to see other retailers committing to do the same this year.”
Home Bargains
The discount retailer announced that it will be closing on both Boxing Day and New Year’s Day as a thank you to its work-force.
A spokesperson told The Mirror: “We recognise how incredibly hard all of our colleagues have worked over the last year, to continue to serve the local communities that rely on them so much.
“In light of this, we felt it was only right to reward store teams by taking the decision to close all of our stores on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, and also close stores early at 5pm on Christmas Eve.”
Geograph
Sainsbury’s, Argos and Habitat
Sainsbury’s recently announced that it will be closing all of its stores on Boxing Days, as well as all Argos and Habitat Home stores, which the supermarket chain now owns.
Simon Roberts, Sainsbury’s Chief Executive, said: “Christmas is a really special time for so many, but because of lockdown restrictions last year, lots of us weren’t able to celebrate in the way we wanted.
“In recognition of this and to say a massive thank you to all our colleagues for everything they have done during the last challenging year, we will be closing all of our supermarkets, convenience stores, and petrol filling stations, as well as Argos and Habitat stores, this Boxing Day.”
Wilko
Those wanting to grab some homeware bargains after Christmas may have to wait an extra day as Wilko has announced it will be closed on Boxing Day.
A spokesperson said on the decision: “As a family-owned retailer, Wilko understands the importance of spending quality time with loved ones and after such a difficult year.
“Wilko has decided to give all its team members a day off on December 26th to spend with their families this Christmas.”
Kake / Flickr
Waitrose and John Lewis
All Waitrose supermarkets will be closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, other than some in Welcome Break motorways service stations and Shell forecourts.
Most Waitrose stores will shut at 6pm on Christmas Eve, with extended opening hours in the days running up to December 24th.
John Lewis stores will also be shut “as usual” on Boxing Day, except for one in Trafford, the retailer says.
Holland and Barrett
Get stocked up on your herbal remedies, because Holland and Barrett will be giving its 500 store and warehouse staff a day off on Boxing Day.
Anthony Houghton, group retail and property director at Holland and Barrett, said: “The decision to close our stores in the UK and Ireland on December 25th and 26th, one of the busiest trading periods of the year, is to say thank you to our colleagues who have worked tirelessly and under very difficult restrictions since the coronavirus pandemic began in 2020.
“I would like to thank everyone at Holland and Barrett for their continued hard work and commitment to each other and our customers and hope this time away from work will allow them to spend quality time with loved ones over this period.”
Ian Rainey / Geograph
Pets at Home
For the second year in a row, Pets at Home will be closing all of its UK stores on Boxing Day.
Pets at Home chief executive officer Peter Pritchard said: “Our people are the beating heart of our business and they have worked tirelessly once again this year to ensure that the nation’s pets and their owners have access to everything they need to stay happy and healthy.
“Caring for our colleagues is something we take very seriously and closing our stores again on Boxing Day is another small way to show our appreciation and say thank you. It’s a little early to be wishing anyone a merry Christmas, but we hope that our colleagues will be able to use this time to relax with family and friends, and of course, their pets.”
Iceland
Back in September, Iceland’s boss revealed that the budget supermarket will be closing on Boxing Day as well as Christmas Day.
When asked by Fiona Bruce on Question Time if he would like to see the member of the public get Boxing Day off, Iceland boss Richard Walker answered simply ‘yes’, before confirming that Iceland will keep its stores shut on December 26th, 2021.