It's traditionally been a big day in the calendar for bargain hunters and festive revellers alike, but Boxing Day is already looking quieter this year with some big chains announcing they won't be open.
December 26 was once the day where thousands of people set their alarms early, shook off their post-Christmas hangovers and went in search of the best deals and cut-price bargains. But changing shopping trends in recent years have led to many shops staying closed - Asda, Aldi, Lidl, Sainsbury's and Waitrose all kept their doors shut on Boxing Day 2021, and this year looks to follow suit.
Last week retailer Home Bargains announced it would not be opening its stores on Christmas Day, Boxing Day or New Year's Day this year, joining big names including Iceland and Aldi which have already confirmed they'll be shut the day after Christmas.
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And the decision seems to have gone down well with WalesOnline readers, many of whom have praised the decision of companies to allow their staff some much needed time off to relax, spend with family and get away from the frantic winter sales over the festive period.
Lyn Ellis agreed with the shops' decision, saying it was "about time. I used to work in high street stores and many Christmas Eves were spent working 'till 9pm getting the sale ready for Boxing Day. We were too knackered to enjoy Christmas Day then it was straight back in for first day of sale on Boxing Day. Bloody ridiculous. All retail staff deserve a rest and time with their families , well done to these supermarkets."
Others clearly felt similarly - Valerie Hyde said: "They should all be closed its ridiculous it's just greed for some of these companies they should think of their staff" while Linda Kelly praised businesses for showing compassion for staff over Christmas. Sandra Salter said: "Shops used to close 12 noon Christmas Eve and not open until after Boxing Day. People used to manage for a few days without fridges and freezers. Shop workers need a proper break, they work so hard in the lead up to Christmas."
Ruth O'Brien encouraged other brands to follow suit, saying: "Let's hope Morrisons, Tesco and Asda follow suit - hardest time of the year for retail staff, they deserve a couple of days off!" Rhys Shaw felt even more strongly, saying he felt shops should legally have to shut on the key days over Christmas. "Should be a legal requirement to remain closed on Christmas and Boxing Day," he said. "Something seriously wrong if people cannot go two days with going to a shop!"
June Morgan said that it might even benefit shops to stay closed on Boxing Day given rising energy bills and the cost of living crisis. "Well with money being a big problem they wouldn't have many customers on these days anyway and it would cost them more to open with having to have electric, heating, and wages to pay out it... so might as well close."
While most of us love to treat ourselves to the odd shopping trip, many readers agreed they wouldn't miss the couple of extra days not being able to visit the shops. Johana Rowbottom said: "All shops should be closed! Can’t people live without two days of shopping! Every Sunday should be closed too! Families might enjoy time together."
Tina Turner said she felt companies could go even further and show less ads during the festive period. She said: "Well done all stores doing this. It would also be helpful if store adverts were not shown so frequently during the staff's time off, so as to allow them to fully relax and not have reminders of when they are due back in work every 30 minutes."
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