Sainsbury's and Poundland are the latest supermarkets to announce some well-deserved time off for staff this Christmas time.
In a conference on Wednesday, September 15, Poundland told its 18,000 colleagues it would again give staff members the day off on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day by keeping all stores closed.
Poundland’s managing director Barry Williams said: “Throughout the last 18 months, our colleagues have been heroes – quietly turning up to work to serve their communities right across the UK and Ireland.
“By closing on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, we recognise that service and the chance to spend extra time with their families.”
Sainsbury's too announced it will be keeping all of its supermarkets, convenience stores, and petrol filling stations closed on Boxing Day.
Argos and Habitat staff will also get the day off, as the retailers are owned by the same company as Sainsbury's, meaning an estimated 170,000 colleagues working for the company will benefit from some free time with family and friends on December 26.
The two retailers are the latest to join Marks and Spencer in closing stores to provide staff with a day off to look forward to over Christmas period.
The simultaneous move from multiple retailers comes following an incredibly challenging time for supermarket staff as they continued to work throughout the pandemic.
Sainsbury’s chief executive Simon Roberts said: “Christmas is a really special time for so many but because of lockdown restrictions last year lots of us weren’t able to celebrate in the way we wanted.
“In recognition of this and to say a massive thank you to all our colleagues for everything they have done during the last challenging year, we will be closing all of our supermarkets, convenience stores and petrol filling stations, as well as Argos and Habitat stores, this Boxing Day.
“I want to thank our customers in advance for their understanding, which will mean as many of our team as possible can have a well-deserved break to spend time with loved ones.”
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