John Lewis and Waitrose will close most of their stores on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, following a trend among retailers to give employees a break.
- John Lewis standalone stores, except in Trafford and Stratford, will shut on Boxing Day.
- Over 300 Waitrose locations will close on 25 and 26 December, but some attached to petrol stations will remain open.
- The closures align with other retailers like Wilko and The Range, focusing on staff well-being over profits.
- John Lewis and Waitrose closures during traditionally busy periods reflect a shift towards prioritising employee rest.
John Lewis will close its standalone stores on Boxing Day, excluding two key locations at Trafford and Stratford shopping centres. This decision involves closing a significant number of retail spaces during a period typically seen as lucrative in the shopping calendar. Only these two branches will operate, marking a substantial shift in the retailer’s festive period strategy.
Most Waitrose stores will also close on 25 and 26 December, a move that echoes John Lewis’s decision. Specifically, over 300 Waitrose outlets will remain shuttered on Boxing Day. Notably, this closure includes a majority of its supermarkets, except for those attached to petrol stations which might remain operational, providing some consumer access to essential groceries.
The decision to close stores during Boxing Day mirrors the actions of other retailers such as Wilko and The Range, who last year opted to prioritise employee well-being over the potential for high retail sales. This indicates a broader industry trend, where the focus is shifting towards supporting staff through increased rest periods, despite the potential for profit loss.
Additionally, plans to keep stores closed on New Year’s Day further emphasise John Lewis and Waitrose’s commitment to this employee-centric approach. By favouring staff rest and recuperation over capitalising on holiday shopping trends, these closures suggest a potential new norm in retail operations.
In conclusion, the strategic decisions by John Lewis and Waitrose to close stores during traditionally busy periods highlight an evolving ethos in the retail sector, prioritising employee well-being.
These closures by John Lewis and Waitrose underscore a growing trend of prioritising employee welfare over holiday profits.
