// All Asda stores will close for Christmas Day and Boxing Day this year
// Hourly-paid staff to receive 100% of their bonus
Asda has announced it will not open its stores on Boxing Day this year, instead giving thousands of staff a chance to stay home, in recognition of their work during the coronavirus pandemic.
Chief executive Roger Burnley confirmed via email that all of Asda’s 631 stores would close for two days over the Christmas break.
“This has been a challenging year and you have all done an incredible job, continuing to serve our customers and communities while juggling so many other commitments,” Burnley said.
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“But it’s also been challenging from a personal perspective as we have not been able to spend time with our families and friends, which has been hard for us all.
“As you know, the strict guidelines set out by the government will change between 23rd and 27th December and more households will be able to gather together. This is of course our busiest time of year but it was important for us to give as many of you as possible the opportunity to spend this time with those loved ones that you may not have not seen for many months so, uniquely for this year, we will not reopen our stores until December 27,” Burnley added.
Colleagues who were contracted to work on Boxing Day will be paid, with all eligible hourly-paid staff receiving a guaranteed 100 per cent bonus for their unstinting hard work and commitment during 2020 – which will be paid in February 2021.
All of Asda stores will close from 7pm on Christmas Eve and reopen on December 27.
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