Tesco and Morrisons stores in borough will open on Boxing Day despite calls to close as staff reward for pandemic effort

Tesco and Morrisons stores in Carlton and Netherfield will remain open on Boxing despite calls to give staff the day off.

Retail Gazette has reported that unions have criticised the two supermarket giants and said staff should not have to go in on December 26 so they can spend time with friends and family– and as a thank you for their hard work during the pandemic

Sainsbury’s has also said it will open stores on Boxing Day for a limited number of hours,

Other retailers in the borough including Asda, Marks & Spencer and Pets at Home have announced they will close on the day.

Tesco said its stores will only open for reduced hours on Boxing Day as many customers rely on their local stores over Boxing Day.

Meanwhile, Morrisons told Retail Gazette it would ensure that staff have a “meaningful break during the Christmas period”.

Tesco said frontline staff were being rewarded with an extra 10 per cent bonus over the Christmas and New Year period.

Morrisons said that working on the day would be voluntary and that those working on the day would get double pay.

Sainsbury’s said that although it will remain open, it will operate with reduced hours after requests from staff, although most employees will have the day off on Boxing Day.

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.