Thousands of shops across the country will be closed for two days over Christmas as a thank you to hard-working staff. Traditionally shops reopen on Boxing Day with sales after Christmas, but many will not be doing that this year.
Boxing Day will fall on a Monday this year, but many shops that could reopen have chosen not to - as they did last year, reports The Echo. Many shops have also decided not to open on New Year's Day.
These are the stores we know are closing this year on Boxing Day:
Home Bargains
Home Bargains will close all of its branches for Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day.
The store will close at the earlier time of 5pm on Christmas Eve. In a statement, Home Bargains said: "All of our stores will be closing for Boxing Day and New Year's Day. We would like to thank all our staff for how hard you have worked this past year, and want you to relax and enjoy the Christmas break with your loved ones".
Aldi
Aldi will close all stores for three days over the Christmas period to give its staff a well deserved break. The supermarket giant has confirmed that all stores will be closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day again this year in order to thank staff for their hard work.
Aldi stores will close at the earlier time of 6pm on Christmas Eve and reopen from 8am to 8pm on December 27. Aldi stores will also remain closed on New Year's Day.
Iceland and The Food Warehouse
Frozen food retailers Iceland and The Food Warehouse will close their doors on Boxing Day this year. Richard Walker, Iceland's managing director, said on Twitter: "We'll be closing all our Iceland and Food Warehouse stores on Boxing Day, to give our colleagues a well-earned rest with their friends & families."
Marks and Spencer
M&S bosses have decided to close stores on Boxing Day this year, to thanks staff for their hard work, but opening hours have been extended on other days in the run up to Christmas. The retailer will open 300 of its stores until 11pm from December 19 to 23.
Poundland
For the third year in a row, Poundland stores will close to allow staff to enjoy more of the festive season with loved ones. The budget retailers is also keeping stores closed on New Year's Day and is thanking staff by giving them a £25 voucher to spend in store in December and January.
Lidl
Most Lidl stores in England will remain closed on Boxing Day and will reopen on December 27 at 8am. Lidl stores will also be closed on Christmas Day and New Year's Day over the festive season.
Pets at Home
The national pet store will remain closed on Boxing Day for the third year in a row as a way of saying thank you to staff, bosses said. Some vet practices within stores will remain open. Stores will reopen with Bank Holiday hours on December 27.
