XMAS TIME
Bargain retailer is making big change to shopping hours over Christmas
And find out which retailers have already announced they'll close on Boxing Day
SHOPPERS will be pleased to know one of Britain's favourite bargain stores will be extending its opening hours to help shoppers over the Christmas period.
Dunelm announced that stores will extend their opening hours over the festive period - just in case you wanted to grab any last-minute gifts.
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From the December 23, stores will have more flexible opening and closing times to accommodate customers:
- Monday 23rd December - 9am - 9pm
- Tuesday 24th December - 9am - 4pm
- Wednesday 25th December - CLOSED
- Thursday 26th December - 10am - 5pm
- Friday 27th December - 9am - 9pm
- Saturday 28th December - 9am - 7pm
- Sunday 29th December - Normal opening hours
- Monday 30th December - 9am - 9pm
- Tuesday 31st December - 9am - 4pm
- Wednesday 1st December - 9am - 6pm (Scotland stores closed)
- Thursday 2nd Jan - England normal opening hours (Scotland 9am-6pm)
Shoppers can expect to see their local stores opening hours extended.
These hours differ compared to normal hours that are conventionally Monday to Friday 9am - 8pm and Saturday 9am - 7pm.
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Some high street favourites and supermarkets have confirmed they will pull down the shutters on Boxing Day so staff don't miss out on family time.
Almost all stores close up on Christmas Day but, traditionally, shoppers head out on Boxing Day to cash in on cut-price goods.
However, in recent years, more and more retailers have decided to stay closed on December 26, delaying customers' shopping sprees by another day.
Boxing Day is a Bank Holiday which means opening hours are already reduced.
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Some stores may also close early on Christmas Eve and other days around the festive period so it's worth double checking opening times in advance to avoid a wasted trip out.
Check your local branch opening hours on the store's website.
XMAS CLOSURES
Below are the stores that have confirmed closures on Boxing Day...
Aldi
The discounter has said it will close on Boxing Day, as well as Christmas Day.
Richard Thornton, communications director at Aldi UK, 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."
It's not the first time Aldi has closed on Boxing Day - the discounter has been doing so for the past few years.
The Range and Wilko
The Range and Wilko are owned by CDS Stores which has announced it will close all branches at both brands on December 25 and 26.
Alex Simpkin, chief executive officer for CDS, 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."
The brands were also closed last year on Boxing Day.
Home Bargains
Home Bargains has told The Sun all 600 of its stores across the UK will remain closed on Boxing Day.
All branches will also close earlier on Christmas Eve, with trading finishing at 5pm instead of the usual 8pm or 9pm.
The chain also confirmed shops will be completely shut on New Year's Day.
A spokesperson for Home Bargains 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."
Home Bargains has remained closed on Boxing Day for the last four years.
John Lewis and Waitrose
The vast majority of Waitrose supermarkets and all standalone John Lewis stores will be shut on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
The John Lewis Partnership (JLP) which runs the two brands exclusively told The Sun it will shut on December 26.
More than 300 Waitrose branches and 33 John Lewis sites will be shut with just a handful of Waitrose shops attached to petrol stations remaining open on Boxing Day.
And only John Lewis shops within the Trafford and Stratford shopping centres will remain open.
The brand also closed on Boxing Day last year.
Homebase
DIY giant Homebase will shut all its stores on December 26, the brand confirmed to The Sun.
The retailer has 142 stores across the UK which will shut for a full 48 hours to give staff a festive rest.
A spokeswoman for the firm said: "We’ll once again be closing our stores on Boxing Day so our team can enjoy time with their friends and family over the festive period."
More stores are expected to announce Boxing Day closures over the coming weeks.
Last year DIY giants Wickes and Screwfix all shut their branches on December 26, as did M&S and Lidl.
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Poundland, which currently runs over 850 shops in the UK, also closed on Boxing Day last year.
Keep an eye on your favourite retailer's social media as many often publicise their festive opening hours on X and Facebook.
Why do retailers close on Boxing Day?
BOXING Day is one of the busiest shopping days of the year.So why do retailers decide to close? Senior Consumer Reporter Olivia Marshall explains.
Closing on Boxing Day allows staff to have a well-deserved break after the busy Christmas period.
This can help improve staff morale and reduce burnout.
It also provides them with an opportunity to spend time with their families and friends during the festive season.
For some retailers, the cost of opening on Boxing Day, including staffing and operational expenses, may not be justified by the expected sales revenue, especially if customer footfall is low.
With the rise of online shopping, some retailers may focus on online sales and promotions rather than opening physical stores on Boxing Day.
For some businesses, it may also be a a long-standing tradition for them to remain closed on Boxing Day.
From a practical perspective, the day after Christmas can be used for inventory checks, restocking, and preparing for post-Christmas sales.
This can be more effectively done without the distraction of serving customers.
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