The motoring retailer says it wants to give staff across the UK a ‘well-earned’ rest and time to spend time with loved ones
Halfords has announced that all its stores will close on Boxing Day and New Year ’s Day this year.
The motoring retailer says it wants to give staff across the UK a “well-earned” rest and time to spend time with loved ones. Halfords stores will also remain closed on Christmas Day, but will be open as usual on all other days throughout the festive season.
Henry Birch, Chief Executive Officer at Halfords, said: “Our colleagues go above and beyond for customers all year round, often working long hours to keep the nation moving.
“It’s important that we recognise that effort and give everyone the chance to switch off and spend quality time with family and friends.
“Closing our stores on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day is a small but meaningful way to say thank you and ensure our teams come back refreshed for the year ahead.”
It comes after Halfords revealed increased sales and profits over the past half-year. Sales in the cycling business rose by 9% for the half-year to September 26, compared with a year earlier.
It helped drive a 3.3% increase in total revenues to £893.3 million for the half-year. Elsewhere, the group saw like-for-like motoring revenues rise by 1.1%, while its autocentres business saw like-for-like growth of 4.3%.
Halfords isn’t the only store that is staying closed on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. Home Bargains has kept its stores closed on December 26 and January 1 in recent years – and this year will be no different.
In a post to Facebook, Home Bargains said: “Christmas announcement. All of our stores will be closing for Boxing Day & New Year’s Day.
The statement added: “We would like to thank all our colleagues for how hard you have worked this past year, and want you to relax and enjoy the Christmas break with your loved ones. Love from team HB.”
It has also become somewhat of a tradition for budget supermarket chain Aldi to keep its doors closed on December 26 and New Year’s Day.
Aldi will operate extended hours in the run-up to Christmas to ensure customers can stock up ahead of the big day.
Rebecca Heley, Communications Director at Aldi UK, said: “Christmas is a special time, and we want to ensure all of our colleagues have the opportunity to relax and enjoy it with their loved ones. That’s why all Aldi stores will be closed on Boxing Day this year.
“We know how hard colleagues work to deliver an amazing Christmas for our customers, and this is one small way of saying thank you.”
