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Asda to close all stores on Boxing Day and reward frontline staff with a bonus
ASDA has announced it will close all stores on Boxing Day to thank frontline staff for their hard work throughout the pandemic.
The supermarket normally opens for customers the day after Christmas, operating reduced hours.
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But this year, the retailer will keep doors closed at all 631 stores to give thousands of workers time to spend with family over the festive break.
Staff who were due to work on Saturday December 26 will still be paid for the shift.
Shops will also close on Christmas Day like normal, giving employees two consecutive days off during the five days in December when lockdown is lifted.
Workers will also receive a bonus in recognition of their hard work and commitment through the coronavirus crisis.
Supermarket Christmas opening times 2020
NOT all supermarkets have confirmed their Christmas opening times, but here's what we know so far:
- Aldi: Most stores will open until 11pm on December 21, 22 and 23. Branches will shut at 6pm on December 24 and will remain closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
- Asda: Asda will close at 7pm on Christmas Eve and remain closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
- Co-op: The Co-op has yet to confirm its Christmas opening times.
- Lidl: Lidl has yet to confirm its Christmas opening times.
- M&S: M&S will keep around 400 shops open until midnight on December 21, 22 and 23. The rest will open until 10pm. Shops are expected to shut at 6pm on Christmas eve and remain closed on Christmas Day.
- Morrisons: Morrisons has yet to confirm its Christmas opening times.
- Tesco: Tesco has yet to confirm its Christmas opening times.
- Sainsbury's: Sainsbury's has yet to confirm its Christmas opening times.
- Waitrose: Waitrose will keep smaller stores open until 11pm on December 21, 22 and 23, while larger stores will shut at 10pm. The majority of stores will close at 6pm on Christmas Eve and will remain shut on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
At the start of the year, Asda sets the maximum amount each employee is entitled to as a bonus.
The portion they receive is based on their performance throughout the year, but the supermarket has said that this year everyone will receive the full amount.
Exactly how much each worker gets varies.
The bonus will be paid in Feburary 2021's paycheck .
Supermarkets have been allowed to stay open during the national lockdowns as they are considered essential retailers.
Employees have had to overcome challenges while continuing to serve customers, such as wearing face masks and social distancing while at work.
At the start of the outbreak, back in March, supermarkets were overwhelmed when panic shoppers and stockpilers stripped shelves.
In his message to colleagues, Asda boss Roger Burnley said: "This has been a challenging year and you have all done an incredible job, continuing to serve our customers and communities while juggling so many other commitments.
“But it’s also been challenging from a personal perspective as we have not been able to spend time with our families and friends, which has been hard for us all."
He went on to say, despite it being the busiest time of the year, Asda supermarkets will not open on Boxing Day.
All Asda supermarkets will close from 7pm on Christmas Eve and reopen on December 27.
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You can find your local branch opening times using the
It comes a week after Asda joined Morrisons, Tesco, Aldi and Sainsbury's in handing back business rates worth £1.15billion.
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