Next issues big update to shoppers ahead of Boxing Day

December 20, 2024 4,594

The British multinational clothing, footwear, and home products retailer is among the country’s most famous high street names and is renowned for its mega-sale on December 26.

Britons have fawned over Boxing Day sale prices in high street stores since the 1990s, when Prime Minister John Major changed Sunday trading laws, allowing shops to be open for the Bank Holiday.

Post-Christmas sales have remained a popular craze for years, with Next being one of the big hitters. However, the retailer has made changes to its iconic event this year.

Next has confirmed it will close its stores on Boxing Day once again.

Anyone wanting to shop the Next Boxing Day sale will have to do so online or wait until its stores reopen on Friday, December 27.

The fashion and homeware giant has closed all stores on December 26 since 2021 to give its workers more time at home with their families at Christmas.

Several major retailers have adopted this measure to recognise the hard work of employees during the busiest period of the year.

In the past, Next launched its Christmas sale online on December 24, with its in-store sale starting at 6am on December 27.

Marks and Spencer has also confirmed its shops won’t open on Boxing Day and will follow in the footsteps of Next by reopening stores on December 27.

M&S said in a statement: “Our stores, support centres, and distribution centres will be closed on Boxing Day so colleagues can spend more time with loved ones, but the majority of stores will reopen on 27 December for our seasonal Sale.”

As for the UK’s most popular department store, John Lewis, just two of its 34 UK sites will open on Boxing Day.

These are located in two of the country’s biggest shopping centres: Westfield Stratford and the Manchester Trafford Centre.

John Lewis in Stratford will open between 10am and 5pm, and the Trafford Centre branch which will welcome customers between 10am and 8pm.

Supermarkets, including Aldi, Lidl, and Waitrose, have also announced store closures on both Christmas Day and Boxing Day (December 25 and 26). You can browse a full list of retail opening hours with Express.co.uk’s supermarket Christmas opening hours guide.