Major retail stores have confirmed that they will close on Boxing Day so that their staff can enjoy a well-earned break.

Most shops close on Christmas Day, but in recent years many retailers have decided to stay closed on December 26 as well.

Boxing Day is a Bank Holiday – which means opening hours are already reduced and traditionally marks the start of the post-Christmas sales in which shoppers head out to cash in on cut-price goods.

Some stores may also close early on Christmas Eve and other days around the festive period so it’s worth double checking opening hours.

Here are the stores that have said that they will not be open on Boxing Day.

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 be shut on December 26.

More than 300 Waitrose branches and 33 John Lewis sites will be shut, but a few Waitrose shops attached to petrol stations will be open on Boxing Day.

And only John Lewis shops within the Trafford and Stratford shopping centres will be open.

John Lewis and Waitrose were also closed on Boxing Day last year.

Aldi

Aldi has said it will close on both Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Richard Thornton, communications director at Aldi UK, told The Sun: ‘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.’

The discounter has closed on Boxing Day for the past few years.

The Range and Wilko

The Range and Wilko are owned by CDS Stores which have announced it will close all branches at both brands on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

The brands were also closed last year on Boxing Day.

Homebase

DIY giant Homebase will shut all its stores on December 26, the brand has confirmed.

The retailer has 142 stores across the UK.

Last year DIY giants Wickes and Screwfix all shut their branches on December 26, as did M&S and Lidl.

Home Bargains

Home Bargains has told The Sun all 600 of its branches across the UK will remain closed on Boxing Day.

All stores will also closed earlier on Christmas Eve, with trading finishing at 5pm. Home Bargains also confirmed that all their shops will 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.

Poundland, which currently runs over 850 shops in the UK, closed on Boxing Day last year.

Follow your favourite retailer’s social media as many often publicise their festive opening hours on X and Facebook.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

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