Morrisons is to close all its stores this Boxing Day to thank staff for their hard work during the coronavirus pandemic.
The supermarket has confirmed that none of its 497 UK stores will open on December 26.
This means its shops will close on Christmas Eve and won’t reopen again until December 27.
Morrisons says the break will allow its workers to “enjoy a two day weekend break with family, friends and other loved ones”.
The grocer kept its stores open on Boxing Day last year, but it was voluntary for staff to work and those who did got double pay.
Its stores opened at 9am on December 26 in 2020.
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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 who did keep their doors shut on December 26 last year include Aldi, Asda and Marks & Spencer.
Sainsbury’s and Tesco operated under reduced hours on Boxing Day in 2020.
A Morrisons spokesperson said: “We know everyone at Morrisons has worked incredibly hard over the last 18 months and continues to do so.
“Together we’ve responded to the unprecedented challenges of a global pandemic, serving our customers and local communities, and caring so much for each other.
"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."
The move has been praised by retail workers' union Usdaw who urged other 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.
"We welcome Morrisons doing the right thing by their staff with the closure of supermarkets on Boxing Day."
