Halfords has made the decision to close all of its stores on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day this year. The automotive retailer aims to provide its staff throughout the UK with a well-deserved break to spend time with their families. While Halfords stores will be shut on Christmas Day as well, they will operate normally on all other days during the festive period.
The Chief Executive Officer of Halfords, Henry Birch, expressed gratitude towards the hard work of the company’s employees, emphasizing the importance of allowing them to disconnect and enjoy quality time with loved ones. Birch stated that closing the stores on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day is a small but significant gesture of appreciation to ensure the team returns rejuvenated for the upcoming year.
This decision follows Halfords’ positive financial performance in the past six months, with a notable 9% increase in cycling sales and a 3.3% rise in total revenues to £893.3 million. Additionally, the motoring and autocentres divisions experienced growth in like-for-like revenues.
In a similar move, Home Bargains has also opted to keep its stores closed on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, maintaining a tradition from previous years. The retailer conveyed its gratitude to employees for their hard work throughout the year and encouraged them to relax and enjoy the holiday season with their families.
Aldi, another popular supermarket chain, will continue its practice of closing stores on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. To accommodate customers preparing for Christmas, Aldi will extend its operating hours leading up to the festive period.
Rebecca Heley, Communications Director at Aldi UK, highlighted the significance of allowing colleagues to unwind and celebrate the holiday season with loved ones. Heley emphasized that closing Aldi stores on Boxing Day is a token of appreciation for the dedication shown by employees in delivering exceptional service during Christmas.
In conclusion, Halfords, Home Bargains, and Aldi have chosen to prioritize the well-being of their employees by closing their stores on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, fostering a culture of appreciation and work-life balance during the festive season.