Halfords has revealed its decision to shut down all its stores on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day this year. The motoring retailer aims to provide its staff across the UK with a well-deserved break to spend quality time with their families. Additionally, Halfords will also be closed on Christmas Day but will resume regular operations on all other days during the festive period.
Henry Birch, the Chief Executive Officer at Halfords, emphasized the dedication of the company’s employees throughout the year, often working tirelessly to serve customers. He expressed the importance of acknowledging their hard work by allowing them to unwind and enjoy valuable time with loved ones. Birch stated that closing the stores on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day is a small yet significant gesture of appreciation to ensure the team returns rejuvenated for the upcoming year.
This decision follows Halfords’ positive financial performance in the last six months, with a notable 9% increase in cycling business sales and a 3.3% rise in total revenues to £893.3 million. Moreover, the company observed growth in like-for-like motoring revenues by 1.1% and a 4.3% increase in its autocentres business.
Apart from Halfords, Home Bargains has also confirmed the closure of its stores on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, aligning with its past practice. Similarly, Aldi plans to keep its doors shut on December 26 and New Year’s Day, focusing on extended operating hours leading up to Christmas for customer convenience.
Rebecca Heley, the Communications Director at Aldi UK, highlighted the significance of providing colleagues with the opportunity to relax and celebrate Christmas with their families. She emphasized that the closure on Boxing Day is a token of gratitude for the hard work put in by Aldi’s staff to deliver a memorable Christmas experience for customers.
The decision to close stores on these public holidays reflects a growing trend among retailers to prioritize employee well-being and family time during the festive season.