A number of retailers across the north and north-east are set to close on Boxing Day to allow staff to spend time with family and friends.
But shop workers trade union Usdaw believes it’s still not enough and all stores should be shut, claiming “it’s the right thing to do”.
Home Bargains, Iceland and Aldi are all pulling down the shutters for December 26.
They will be joined by Next, well known for its Boxing Day sale, in both Aberdeen’s Bon Accord Centre and Inverness’ Eastgate shopping centre.
Marks & Spencer in the Eastgate will also close but it’s not yet known if the Aberdeen stores and others in the north-east will follow suit.
A spokeswoman for Marks & Spencer said: “We haven’t announced our approach yet but will be confirming this shortly.
“Last year, all our stores in Scotland were closed on Boxing Day.”
Give workers the day off
Usdaw Aberdeen area organiser Kate Cumming said: “These people have worked right through the pandemic and been key workers.
“The run-up to Christmas is extremely busy for everyone so to give them the day off I don’t think would be such a big deal.
“We are trying to get New Years’ Day off as well to give people that break and get some time with their family.
“After Christmas, they are obviously all going to be tired.
“They don’t get time to relax with their families over Christmas.
“It’s really New Years’ Day that we were pushing for but would like both.
“If we could even get New Year’s Day off, which is in the gift of the Scottish Government to make that a holiday, which would be something that the people could get.
“It is normal for retail workers to have to work but when you think what we’ve been through the past couple of years and all retail workers suddenly became key workers keeping everything running.
“Give them a decent break over Christmas and New Year it would make such a difference.”
Supermarkets to open
Asda and Morrisons have confirmed all their stores across the region will be open on Boxing Day.
A spokeswoman for Lidl said they were still to confirm plans.
Usdaw deputy general secretary Dave McCrossen said: “The run-up to Christmas is the busiest and most stressful time in retail.
“It’s an extremely important trading period, providing bumper profits for businesses and let’s not forget they make those profits from the tireless work of retail staff.
“Shops can open for 150 hours a week in the run-up to Christmas and beyond, and far too many do.
“Is it really too much to ask for our members to have a decent break at Christmas?
“While there may be no legal requirement for stores to close on Boxing Day, it is clearly the right thing to do.”
