Waitrose has joined other UK supermarkets in closing all stores this Boxing Day to ensure employees have more time to spend with friends and family over the Christmas period.
The John Lewis Partnership’s 329 Waitrose stores and 34 John Lewis shops will be closed on both Christmas Day and Boxing Day, while New Year’s Day hours will vary at each branch.
Aldi has also confirmed it will close all stores on Boxing Day to thank colleagues for their work over the festive period.
Subscribe to Grocery Gazette for free
Sign up here to get the latest grocery and food news each morning
Aldi UK communications director Richard Thornton said the discount grocer recognises the importance of Christmas for many of its colleagues, adding that the closures gives staff “more time to spend with their families”.
Iceland’s more than 800 stores will also shut on Boxing Day this year, The Sun reported.
Like Aldi, the frozen food retailer made the same decision last year, which executive chairman Richard Walker said at the time was to give staff “a well-earned rest with their friends and families”.
Lidl will also close most of its stores this Boxing Day and while a few may remain open, the discounter is yet to confirm which these will be.
However, it will shut all UK stores on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
