// Tesco and Morrisons to remain open on Boxing Day despite criticisms
// Unions have said supermarket staff should not have to go in on December 26
// Tesco and Morrisons joined Sainsbury’s in saying they would open on Boxing Day for a limited number of hours
Tesco and Morrisons have said they will keep their shops open on Boxing Day despite calls to give staff the day off.
Unions have criticised the grocers and said supermarket staff should not have to go in on December 26 so they can spend time with friends and family.
Tesco and Morrisons joined Sainsbury’s in saying they would open on Boxing Day for a limited number of hours, while retailers including Asda, Marks & Spencer, Pets at Home, and The Entertainer said they will close on the day.
READ MORE:
- Which retailers are giving shop staff a day off on Boxing Day?
- Asda to close all Boxing Day stores with paid day off for colleagues
Tesco said its stores are open for reduced hours on Boxing Day as many customers rely on their local stores over Boxing Day.
Meanwhile, Morrisons said it would ensure that staff have a “meaningful break during the Christmas period”.
Tesco added that it would reward frontline staff with an extra 10 per cent bonus over the Christmas and New Year period, while Morrisons said that working on the day would be voluntary with staff getting double pay.
Sainsbury’s remains open but will operate with reduced hours after requests from staff, although most employees will have the day off on Boxing Day.
Nevertheless, Asda said that all of its 631 shops would close for two days over the Christmas break, while staff receive 100 per cent of their bonus entitlement regardless of whether they have reached sales quotas.
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