Full list of all major supermarkets and retailers closed on Boxing Day 2023 revealed, with some also closed on New Year’s Day
With Black Friday just over, December’s Boxing Day bargains are the next sale to send shoppers into a frenzy.
But more and more stores are staying closed over the holiday to give their staff some well-deserved time off.
Some retailers have already announced their festive opening times in the UK – and while pulling down the shutters on Christmas Day is a given, opening times on Boxing Day may vary.
And some stores will even be closed on New Year’s Day 2024 – to allow staff to relax after one of the busiest times of the year.
Aldi
Aldi will be closed on Boxing Day this year, so make sure you stock up before Christmas Day (stock image)
The popular budget supermarket chain did not open on December 26, just like last year.
Aldi is one of Britain’s largest supermarkets and all of its almost 1,000 stores are closed on Boxing Day.
Aldi UK’s communications director Richard Thornton said: ‘We recognize that Christmas is an important time for many of our colleagues, and keeping our stores closed on Boxing Day gives them more time to spend with their families.
‘Customers will have plenty to look forward to in the run-up to Christmas as even more of Aldi’s brand new Christmas ranges will hit stores in the coming weeks.
Lidl
It is believed that Lidl UK will close the vast majority of its stores on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day (stock image)
Aldi’s rival discount retailer Lidl will also close many of its UK stores on Boxing Day, but it may not be closed across the board.
Some Lidl branches may remain open, but the supermarket giant is yet to confirm further details. Shoppers are therefore advised to check the opening hours of their local store online.
Lidl is also closed on New Year’s Day to give the staff some rest during the busy Christmas period.
Iceland
Iceland will be closed on both Christmas Day and Boxing Day this year, just like last year (stock image)
Frozen food specialist Iceland has more than 1,000 stores in Britain and will close them all on Boxing Day and Christmas Day in 2023.
The opening hours also apply to the Food Warehouse stores, where customers can purchase Icelandic goods in bulk at a reduced price.
This is not the first time that the chain has given its employees time to rest. Last year, Iceland also stopped trading on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
Poundland
Poundland is closed on December 26 and January 1, 2024 (stock image)
Poundland is a favorite destination for many of us when we’re in a pinch, but it turns out it’s closed not only on Christmas Day, but also on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.
It is the fourth year in which the 800 branches close during peak times during the busy festive period.
People director at Poundland Simon Wells said: “We really appreciate how hard our colleagues work throughout the year.
‘Closing the stores on these extra days over Christmas and New Year is our way of saying thank you – not least because this quarter has been particularly busy with new store openings.
‘Their efforts are appreciated and we hope they can enjoy a well-deserved holiday with family and friends over the festive period.’
Bargains for home
Home Bargains are not open on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day (stock image)
Home Bargains announced the Christmas opening hours back in September.
The diverse retail chain will close all its UK stores on both Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.
Their official X account tweeted: ‘CHRISTMAS ANNOUNCEMENT – All our stores will be closed on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.
‘We would like to thank all our employees for their hard work over the past year and want you to enjoy the Christmas holidays with your loved ones. Love from team HB’.
And it’s not just certain days where trading is no longer possible: all Home Bargains stores will close at 5pm on December 24, earlier than normal.
A company spokesperson later added: “It was only right to support our valued store teams by giving them extended time off over Christmas and New Year.”
John Lewis and Waitrose
Luxury supermarket Waitrose and sister company John Lewis will close all stores on December 25 and 26, but some stores will be open on New Year’s Day (stock image)
Waitrose will be closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day 2023.
Department store John Lewis, the parent company of the expensive supermarket, will follow this example.
The two stores will reopen on December 27, but it’s worth checking your local store’s opening times as they will be adjusted to reflect the festive period.
The majority of Waitrose and John Lewis stores will also be closed on New Year’s Day, but there are some notable exceptions, including the Manchester Trafford Center branch.
But fans of the upmarket supermarket will be pleased to hear that some stores will be serving customers via Deliveroo and Uber Eats on both Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.