We know that Christmas may feel like a way off but supermarkets are already releasing festive fare and announcing their opening times for the 2021 - it is, after all, just over three months away.
However, one major change this year that shoppers can expect is that many of their favourite shops will be closed on Boxing Day.
Retailers have made the decision to do so in order to allow workers to spend more time with their loved ones over the festive period.
Sainsbury’s has been the latest supermarket to announce it will close its stores this Boxing Day.
The UK’s second largest grocer said it will keep all of its supermarket, convenience stores and petrol filling stations shut as a “thank you” to its 170,000 colleagues.
Here are all the shops that have confirmed they'll stay closed this Boxing Day as well as shutting as normal on Christmas Day:
Home Bargains
Home Bargains is closing all its 500 stores on both Boxing Day and New Year's Day.
The discount chain will also shut shops at the earlier time of 5pm on Christmas Eve so staff have more time with family.
It isn't the first time Home Bargains has kept its doors shut on Boxing Day, having also given staff the day off in 2019 and 2020.
Sainsbury's
Sainsbury's is the latest supermarket to confirm its Christmas hours, announcing this week that it'll be closing its stores on Boxing Day.
The move will benefit 170,000 colleagues and applies to its 800 Local stores and forecourts, as well as large supermarkets.
Sainsbury's said Argos and Habitat stores will also close on December 26.
Waitrose
The retailer says on it's website the majority of stores will open 7am-6pm, and on New Year's Eve, 8am-6pm.
On Christmas Day and Boxing Day, stores will be closed with the exception of those in Welcome Break motorway service stations and Shell forecourts – some of which will be open 24 hours.
Marks and Spencer
Marks and Spencer is also closing its stores on Boxing Day, giving 700,000 workers the day off in the process.
It applies to all M&S-owned stores in the UK, the Republic of Ireland, its Donnington Distribution Centre near Derby, and all of its support centres.
Morrisons
Morrisons was the first supermarket to confirm its stores will be shut on Boxing Day this year.
The retailer announced its plans, which apply to all its 497 shops, back in August.
A Morrisons spokesperson said: “We know everyone at Morrisons has worked incredibly hard over the last 18 months and continues to do so.
"We’ve been listening hard to colleagues about how best to say Thank You, and are really pleased to confirm that this year we will be closing all our supermarkets on Boxing Day, so as many of our key workers as possible can enjoy a two day weekend break with family, friends and other loved ones."
