Co-op joins the groups giving staff more time off at Christmas

The group is the latest retailer to announce that it is allowing staff more time off over the holiday period.

It has said it will close stores early on Christmas Eve and operate reduced hours on Boxing Day.

Shops on both Boxing Day and New Year’s Day will be staffed entirely by those employees that do not mind working during the holidays.

The move was welcomed by trade union Usdaw. John Gorle, its national officer, said: “Many retailers are taking a different approach to opening stores over the festive period and, following extensive discussions with the company, these changes are a step in the right direction from the Co-op.

“The pandemic showed just how important shopworkers are to our society and communities, as they stepped up and kept essential services running throughout.

“Key workers have done so much this year and we don’t think it is too much to ask to give them the longest possible break over the festive season.

“Usdaw continues the campaign for stores not to trade on Boxing Day, along with New Year’s Day in Scotland.”

The Co-op announcement is the most recent in a series from big retailers.

Iceland, Aldi, Home Bargains, Marks & Spencer, Morrisons, Poundland, Sainsbury’s and Waitrose have all said that they will shut completely on more days this Christmas.