In recent years, stores across the UK have announced they will be closing their doors over the festive period so staff can have a well-deserved break spent with their friends and family.
While most stores tend to shut up shop on December 25, more shops are now carrying on the break into December 26 by giving employees the day off on Boxing Day.
From retail park stores to local supermarkets, shops are beginning to announce their festive opening hours ahead of Christmas to ensure that shoppers are well-prepared for the closures.
But which stores have announced that they will be closed on December 25 and 26 this year?
We'll be constantly updating this article with the latest opening times in the run-up to Christmas.
Aldi
Aldi has announced a two-day closure over the festive period this year to thank staff for their hard work.
All stores will be closed on both Christmas Day and Boxing Day this year as the supermarket plans to create around 3,000 new jobs ahead of the festive period to keep up with demand.
This is expected to be Aldi's "biggest-ever" Christmas, with thousands of temporary and permanent positions available.
The festive roles will be focused around replenishing stock in store and assisting customers as they shop for their families during the holiday season.
Kelly Stokes, recruitment director at Aldi, said: "This year we’re recruiting more people than ever over the Christmas period to support the growing number of customers that are switching to Aldi.
"That includes a mix of temporary and permanent positions, as well as looking to fill both in-store roles and positions at our Regional Distribution Centres.
"Our amazing colleagues play a vital role in keeping our shelves stocked year-round which is why, once again, we’ll also be keeping our stores closed on Boxing Day as a thank you for all of their hard work."
Poundland
Poundland will close its stores on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day for the third year in a row.
The budget retailer has also confirmed plans to take on 1,200 temporary seasonal staff to help with the busy Christmas rush.
And as a thank you to all 18,000 employees of the Poundland and Dealz brands, the store is giving staff a £25 voucher (€30 in the Republic of Ireland) to spend in store between December and January.
Their regular colleague discount will also double from 10% to 20% during November.
Simon Wells, Poundland & Dealz’ people director, said: “We really appreciate how hard colleagues work during the year and are closing the stores on the extra days over Christmas and New Year so they enjoy a well-deserved break with friends and family.
“The vouchers and extra discounts are our way of saying thank-you and we know they’ll be appreciated.”
Home Bargains
Home Bargains announced on October 5 it will be closing its doors over the festive period to allow staff to spend time with their families.
All stores across the UK will be closed on Christmas Day (December 25), Boxing Day (December 26) and New Years Day (January 1).
In a statement on Facebook, the retailer said: "All of our stores will be closing for Boxing Day and New Year's Day. We would like to thank all our staff for how hard you have worked this past year, and want you to relax and enjoy the Christmas break with your loved ones."
All stores will also close at the earlier time of 5pm on Christmas Eve.
Iceland and The Food Warehouse
Iceland and sub-brand The Food Warehouse have announced they will be closing their doors on Boxing Day this year.
The supermarket's managing director Richard Walker made the announcement that all stores would close on December 26 earlier this week.
He said on Twitter : "We’ll be closing all our Iceland and Food Warehouse stores on Boxing Day, to give our colleagues a well-earned rest with their friends & families."
The stores will also be closed on Christmas Day.
The closure announcement comes as Iceland was forced to put expansion plans on hold and warned of potential store closures due to the current cost of living crisis.
Mr Walker said that rising bills have left his business “fighting to keep the lights on” and called for an energy price cap for businesses in the UK, after its latest energy bill rose by £20million.
On September 21, it was announced that businesses would be offered an equivalent to the energy price cap for a six-month period to see them through the winter months.
Pets at Home
Pets at Home will be closed on Boxing Day - the third year in a row it has announced this measure.
However, some vet practices within stores will remain open.
Stores will fully reopen with reduced Bank Holiday hours on December 27.
Pets at Home chief executive Lyssa McGowan said: “Our people are at the heart of everything we do, and the decision to close our stores once again on Boxing Day is just one small way of saying thank you.
“We hope that when the festive season comes our colleagues can enjoy a well-earned rest and take time to relax with their family, friends, and of course, their beloved pets.”
