Aldi has announced a special two-day closure for all its stores in the UK on Boxing Day to express gratitude to its hardworking staff. The supermarket chain will shut down on December 25 and 26 and resume operations on December 27 for customers to purchase essentials for their New Year celebrations. As Christmas approaches, Aldi will have extended hours to accommodate customers looking to stock up for the festive season. Richard Thornton, Communications Director at Aldi UK, stated, “Christmas is such a special period for many of our colleagues, and by keeping our stores closed on Boxing Day, Aldi gives them more time to spend with their loved ones. Customers will have plenty to look forward to in the run-up to Christmas, with exciting Christmas ranges hitting shelves in time for the festive season.”
In addition to the holiday closure, Aldi is set to open 23 new locations by the end of the year, including stores in Muswell Hill, London, and Mere Green, Birmingham. This expansion is part of a record £800 million investment programme for Aldi in 2024. Boxing Day, celebrated on December 26 in the UK, traditionally marked a day when servants, tradespeople, and the poor received gifts or “Christmas boxes” as a token of appreciation for their service. Today, Boxing Day has evolved into a day of relaxation, spending time with loved ones, and shopping as it signifies the start of post-Christmas sales. Sporting events, especially football matches and horse racing, are also associated with the day. Though the exact origins of Boxing Day are unclear, the tradition of giving and charitable acts remains integral to the day’s significance.
Aldi’s gesture of closing on Boxing Day to give their staff an opportunity to enjoy the festive period with their families exemplifies its commitment to valuing its employees. This move aligns with the spirit of the holiday season, emphasising the importance of companionship over commercial activities. The decision to enhance store hours in the lead-up to Christmas ensures that customers have ample time to prepare for the celebrations. Moreover, Aldi’s significant investment in expanding its presence reaffirms its dedication to meeting customer demand and enhancing its reach across the UK. By combining employee welfare with customer satisfaction, Aldi continues to solidify its position as a leading supermarket brand in the country.