Do shops really need to open on Boxing Day?

why not?

Have one day that everyone- apart from those in essential emergency services- can have for themselves, on their own, as a couple, or as a family, with friends, whomever.

And since Sunday was the traditional day off- it would be the easiest to return to being 'special', and different.

I find it sad beyond belief, and totally pathetic too, tbh- that people just can't think of anything else to do than shop. And it's not about the shoppers, but the workers.

When they started Sunday opening, it was a choice whether to do so or not - but now it is no longer a choice. Same for Boxing Day. In France, Christmas dinner with the family is on 24th - and more or less everyone has 25th off- so the concept of Boxing Day is indeed irrelevant.

I work in retail and have to work Boxing Day. I do have Christmas Eve off though

Our local Tesco is not opening on Boxing Day.

We still have half day closing in our village but only some shops

I've only shopped once on Boxing Day.

The real christmas tree that I'd nurtured and loved all through the previous year was brought in, decorated and looked gorgeous. And then promptly dropped all it's needles, the little ingrate!

So on Boxing Day I went to our local garden centre which was selling off all it's Christmas stock at half price and I bought a 6ft artificial tree which has served me faithfully and beautifully for the past 20-odd years.

But other than that, no shopping for me I've done enough!

I avoid the shops on Boxing Day as don't like crowds, however if people choose to shop, can't really see a problem, each to their own.

My husband worked as a retail manager for many years and had to work every Boxing Day when the stores started staying open. He said they weren't particularly profitable days, as the staff ( in those days, anyway) couldn't be compelled to work - unlike the managers - and had to be paid more to get them to do so, and that people only had a limited amount of money to spend, anyway. Some were broke after Xmas, and some were ready to spend money in the sales but it didn't really matter whether those sales began on 26th or 27th. People didn't magically find more money to spend, they just spent it over more days. So, Boxing Day opening didn't make much sense commercially but all the stores were intent on opening if their rivals did.

A bit ridiculous, really, and not good for workers with families.

My friend owns a garden centre. Her family love Christmas day and Easter Sunday because they all have to close. Not need to worry they are missing out on a sale when customers can go the the one up the road for their new plant

Of course shops do not need to open! As someone has already said there is not going to be any greater amount of cash available to spend just because the shops are open on a Bank Holiday - in the same way that there is no greater amount of cash to spend when the shops are open on a Sunday. The staffing costs rise as do the running costs when businesses are open for longer hours so nobody truly gains. The fear that businesses have is that if they remain closed then another business will profit and gain sales which might have come their way if they had opened too.

But then it is all part of the new religion of 'commerce'!

Which is why sometimes legislation is great. If the law says shops have to be closed on Boxing Day (or any other special Day) - then that's it- That fear of competition is taken away- everyone can put their feet up and enjoy - and people and families can think of nice things to do together apart from shopping for ONE DAY A YEAR - go for a walk, chat, play games, watch a good film- whatever- and relax, enjoy- breathe.

It's not difficult, really.

We were designed to have a pattern of work and rest and need to follow the principle so that we function well and our good health is maintained. The instruction for this is given in several places in the Old Testament and when things are repeated so often then you know there is real significance in it. People and economies prosper when they observe this principle.

There are many interesting views of 'the pattern of work' and I give a link to an interesting but quite a small read on it. www.acts17-11.com/dialogs_6days.html

You truly do not need to bring religion into this- it is just commonsense.

I've seen first hand the devastating effect working very long and crazy hours can have on one's family and health- but in some professions, like nursing or medicine- there is little choice. If you have a heart attack or accident on Boxing Day or the middle of the night- you want the police, ambulance and nurses and doctors to be there for you (hopefully not having worked non stop for 2 days and 1 night or more ... as used to be the case when junior doctors were expected to work 14ohrs+) ... but truly, we can survive without shopping for ONE day Ffudgesake.

No, No and No.