Entertainment Swindon

Traditionally, the Boxing Day Sales have been one of the biggest shopping days of the high street, often with queues starting in the cold frosty early hours of the morning outside the doors of big name stores such as Next, hours before they open.

Over the past few years, supermarkets have stopped opening on Boxing Day and slowly the high street retailers followed. Since Covid, the list of stores shutting on Boxing Day have grown even faster, giving thousands of retail workers a well deserved break.

Big names pulling down the shutters this Boxing Day include, John Lewis, The Range, Wilko and Home Bargains, giving their employees do not miss out on the festive spirited family time. As well as closing the doors on Boxing Day, many retailers will also be closing up early on Christmas Eve, so it will be worth checking retailers websites and social media so you don’t have a wasted trip.

Here is the list so far of stores shutting on Boxing Day:

The Range and Wilko

The Range and Wilko, owned by parent company CDS Stores have announced it will close all branches of both retailers on 25th/26th December.

CDS Chief Executive Officer, Alex Simpkin said: “This year’s been another great one for the business.

“We’re grateful to all our incredible team for their dedication and hard work and believe everyone deserves a well-earned rest during the festive season.

“So, in appreciation, we’ll be closing our stores on Boxing Day to give our team the opportunity to enjoy a full two-day break with their families.”

It comes after the brands were also closed last year on Boxing Day.

ALDI

Winner of Which? Cheapest Supermarket for 2021, 2022 & 2023 have also said they will be closing on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. This wont be the first time for Aldi, the supermarket has been one of the leaders in giving their staff the Christmas break over the past few years.

Aldi’s UK Communications Director, Richard Thornton, said: “Christmas is such a special period for many of our colleagues, and by keeping our stores closed on Boxing Day, Aldi gives them more time to spend with their loved ones. 

“Customers will have plenty to look forward to in the run-up to Christmas, with exciting Christmas ranges hitting shelves in time for the festive season.”

John Lewis and Waitrose

The John Lewis Partnership (JLP), who closed doors across their stores on Boxing Day last year will again be closing their doors to give their staff a well deserved break. The majority of Waitrose supermarkets and all John Lewis stores will be shut on Christmas Day & Boxing Day.

More than 300 Waitrose stores and 33 John Lewis sites will be shut. Leaving just a handful of Waitrose shops attached to petrol stations remaining open on Boxing Day, along with just the Trafford & Stratford shopping centres John Lewis stores staying open.

Home Bargains

Home Bargains, who have closed for Boxing Day for the past four years have said all 600 of its stores across the UK will close their doors for both Christmas Day & Boxing Day, as well as closing early on Christmas Eve, with doors closing at 5pm.

The bargain retailer has also confirmed that all their stores will be closed on New Year’s Day.

A Home Bargains spokesperson said: “We know how hard all our colleagues have worked throughout the year.

“Being a family-run business, we recognise the importance of spending quality time with our loved ones.

“Therefore, we feel it is only right to support our valued store teams by giving them extended time off around Christmas and New Year.”

Over the coming weeks, it is expected that many more high street stores are also due to announce their doors closing for Boxing Day.

Last year, supermarkets M&S and Lidl closed their doors at all their stores for Boxing Day as well as other well known retail brands such as Homebase, Screwfix, Poundland and Wickes.

Advice is if you really feel the need to shop on Boxing Day is to check store websites and social media, or just shop online on the sofa with a plate of leftover turkey on your lap.