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 UK staff 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 period.
Henry Birch, the Chief Executive Officer at Halfords, emphasized the dedication of the staff throughout the year, acknowledging their hard work in keeping the nation moving. By closing the stores on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, the company aims to express gratitude and ensure that the teams return refreshed 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 compared to the previous year. The total revenues for the half-year rose by 3.3% to £893.3 million, driven by growth in motoring and autocentres businesses.
Apart from Halfords, Home Bargains has also opted to keep its stores closed on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. The budget supermarket chain Aldi has a similar tradition of shutting its doors on these days, focusing on extended hours before Christmas to accommodate customer needs.
Rebecca Heley, the Communications Director at Aldi UK, highlighted the significance of Christmas and the importance of allowing colleagues to relax and enjoy the festive season with their loved ones. This approach of closing on Boxing Day is a gesture of appreciation for the hard work put in by Aldi staff during the busy holiday period.
