Poundland shuts all UK stores on Christmas and New Year's Day

Poundland, a popular discount retailer in the UK, has confirmed that it will close all of its over 800 stores during key holiday dates this December 2024. The stores will not operate on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, as well as on New Year's Day 2025. The closures are part of the company's initiative to provide its employees with a well-deserved break after a busy festive period. This policy is aimed at supporting staff who play a crucial role in maintaining customer satisfaction during the peak Christmas shopping season. The company employs over 18,000 individuals across the UK and Ireland, emphasizing its commitment to employee welfare. To accommodate the increased customer demand leading up to Christmas, Poundland is looking to hire over 1,000 temporary staff for seasonal roles. These roles will run until Christmas Eve, with potential extensions into early January for some positions. Alongside the holiday closures, Poundland is enhancing employee benefits, including doubling the staff discount on weekends and providing each worker with a £25 voucher for in-store use. These measures reflect Poundland’s acknowledgment of its employees' hard work, particularly in the lead-up to the holidays. The announcement aligns with a broader trend among retailers who are recognizing the importance of offering employees time off during the busy holiday season. Other retailers, such as Aldi, Waitrose, and John Lewis, are also opting for closures on Boxing Day, indicating a shift in retail practices focused on worker rights and wellbeing.