Halfords has made the decision to shut down all its stores on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day this year. The automotive retailer aims to provide its staff nationwide with a well-deserved break and the opportunity to spend quality time with their families. While Halfords outlets will be closed on Christmas Day as well, they will resume normal operations on all other days during the festive period.
Henry Birch, the CEO of Halfords, expressed gratitude towards the dedication of the company’s employees who work tirelessly throughout the year to serve customers. He emphasized the importance of acknowledging their hard work and granting them the chance to unwind and enjoy precious moments with their loved ones.
The move to close stores on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day is a gesture of appreciation from Halfords to ensure its teams return 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.
In addition to Halfords, Home Bargains has also opted to keep its stores closed on December 26 and January 1, aligning with their practice in recent years. Similarly, Aldi, a popular supermarket chain, traditionally closes its doors on December 26 and New Year’s Day to allow its employees to relax and celebrate the festive season with their families.
Aldi will extend its operating hours leading up to Christmas to accommodate customer needs before the holiday. Rebecca Heley, the Communications Director at Aldi UK, emphasized the significance of providing their colleagues with the opportunity to unwind during the holiday season and expressed gratitude for their hard work in delivering exceptional service to customers.
Overall, the decision to close stores on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day by these retailers highlights their commitment to employee well-being and the importance of work-life balance during the holiday season.