Halfords has made the 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 in the UK with a well-deserved break to spend quality time with their families. While Halfords stores will be closed on Christmas Day as well, they will resume normal operations on all other days during the festive season.
Henry Birch, the CEO of Halfords, expressed gratitude towards the hard work of the staff throughout the year, highlighting the importance of allowing them to unwind and enjoy time with loved ones. He emphasized that closing the stores on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day is a gesture of appreciation to ensure the team returns rejuvenated for the upcoming year.
In recent reports, Halfords disclosed a rise in sales and profits over the last six months. The cycling business saw a 9% increase in sales compared to the previous year, contributing to a total revenue growth of 3.3% to £893.3 million. Additionally, the motoring and autocentres divisions experienced like-for-like revenue growth of 1.1% and 4.3% respectively.
Apart from Halfords, Home Bargains has also decided to keep its stores closed on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, a practice maintained in previous years. Similarly, Aldi will observe the tradition of closing its doors on these two days, with extended operating hours leading up to Christmas to accommodate customer needs.
Rebecca Heley, the Communications Director at Aldi UK, emphasized the importance of providing employees with the opportunity to relax and enjoy the festive season, acknowledging their hard work in delivering a memorable Christmas experience for customers. Aldi’s decision to close on Boxing Day is a token of appreciation for the dedication shown by its staff.