M&S has announced a major update for all its stores this Christmas.
The popular supermarket has followed in the steps of Morrisons to give all staff a well-deserved day off on Boxing Day.
Store boss Steve Rowe has written to 70,000 workers saying the move to shut on December 26 is to thank them for their work and efforts over recent months.
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It will apply to all M&S-owned stores in the UK, the Republic of Ireland, its Donington Distribution Centre near Derby, and all of its support centres, as the Mirror reports.
Mr Rowe said: “Up and down the country, our colleagues have been there for our customers in the most challenging of circumstances.
“As a small thank you for their incredible hard work, we’ve taken the decision to close our operations on Boxing Day once again this year, to enable our colleagues to spend more time with their family and loved ones.”
M&S decided to close its operations on Boxing Day last year, having previously planned to open more than 200 stores on December 26.
That announcement came despite the government’s plan to temporarily relax restrictions over the Christmas period.
In a separate move, M&S has said it will have extended opening hours at more stores before Christmas this year.
The majority of branches will open from 6am to midnight from Monday December 20 to Thursday December 23.
A “selected number” of stores will be open until 8pm on Christmas Eve.
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Boxing Day is typically busy for retail staff as shoppers flock to stores in the hopes of nabbing a bargain in the sales.
Supermarkets that kept their doors shut on December 26 last year include Aldi, Lidl and Asda.
Pets at Home and The Entertainer were all also shut.
Tesco, Morrisons and Sainsbury’s operated under reduced hours on Boxing Day in 2020.
These supermarkets haven't revealed their plans or opening hours for Christmas 2021.
Last month, retail workers' union Usdaw urged shops to give their staff a break over the Christmas season.
Usdaw National Officer Joanne McGuiness said: "The last year-and-a-half has been unlike any other.
"The pandemic meant shopworkers stepped up and kept essential services running."
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