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 employees across 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 Chief Executive Officer at Halfords, expressed gratitude towards the staff for their hard work throughout the year, emphasizing the importance of allowing them to unwind and enjoy precious moments with loved ones. Birch stated that the closure of stores on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day is a token of appreciation to ensure the team returns rejuvenated for the upcoming year.
In recent financial reports, Halfords revealed a notable increase in sales and profits over the past six months. The cycling segment witnessed a 9% sales surge in the half-year leading up to September 26 compared to the previous year, contributing to a 3.3% rise in total revenues to £893.3 million. Additionally, like-for-like motoring revenues saw a 1.1% increase, and the autocentres division experienced a 4.3% growth.
Following Halfords’ initiative, Home Bargains also confirmed the closure of its stores on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, aligning with their practice from previous years. The budget supermarket chain Aldi will follow suit by keeping its doors shut on December 26 and New Year’s Day, with extended operating hours leading up to Christmas to cater to customer needs.
Rebecca Heley, the Communications Director at Aldi UK, emphasized the significance of allowing colleagues to unwind and enjoy the festive season with their families. Heley announced that all Aldi stores will be closed on Boxing Day as a gesture of appreciation for the hard work put in by employees to deliver a memorable Christmas experience for customers.