Halfords has made the decision to shut down all its stores on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day this year, aiming to provide its UK staff with a well-deserved break to spend quality time with their families. The retail company will also be closed on Christmas Day but will resume normal operations on all other days during the holiday season.
Henry Birch, the CEO of Halfords, expressed gratitude towards the dedication of the employees who work tirelessly throughout the year to serve customers. He emphasized the importance of acknowledging their hard work by allowing them to unwind and enjoy precious moments with loved ones.
This move by Halfords follows a successful period with increased sales and profits in the past six months. The cycling segment experienced a 9% sales growth compared to the previous year, contributing to a 3.3% rise in total revenues to £893.3 million. Additionally, the motoring and autocentres divisions also saw positive like-for-like revenue growth.
Notably, Halfords is not alone in closing its doors on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, as Home Bargains and Aldi have also adopted this practice. Home Bargains, in a social media post, expressed appreciation for its staff’s hard work and encouraged them to relax during the Christmas break. Similarly, Aldi will be closed on Boxing Day to allow its employees to enjoy the festive season with their families.
These closures signify a growing trend among retailers to prioritize the well-being of their workforce during the holiday period, ensuring that employees have the opportunity to recharge and celebrate with loved ones.
