Should big shops open on St Stephen's Day for the sales?

I would say no. What's the rush?

Retail staff deserve a proper Christmas too.

Holding off on the Sales until at least the 27th would be good, holding off until the 2nd of January would be better.

The same applies to supermarkets. I think its great that Aldi and Lidl close their stores for 2 days so their staff can enjoy christmas.

Stock up people!

A big NO.Can you not do without big retail shops for at least two days?

Lots of people work all over xmas. I was in a petrol station on my way home from work yesterday buying milk, two workers in there.

I'm sure there are enough staff that those that don't want to work, won't have to. Plenty don't mind, might not even celebrate Xmas

If I was running the place, the 25th and 26th would be two retail free days. Apart from essential services and certain critical industries, no one should have to work on the 26th, least of all to go to a job to sell idiots flatscreens with 10% off.

Yes I agree it's crap the retail shops are open on St.Stephen's day.

Unfortunately though I do put it down to the move away from xmas being a Christian occasion. If it's just a holiday for everyone, to be inclusive like, then frankly I don't see why the shops would feel like they have to be closed.

Having said that and since I'm really cynical I wouldn't be surprised that all this happy holidays shyte is a conspiracy by big businesses to de-christianify the xmas period so they can have the shops open 24/7 while enough people are off work so they can do nothing but go on a spending spree binge.

Absolutely no reason the likes of Arnotts, Brown Thomas etc should be open today.

It's terrible, staff who are so busy in the run up to Christmas can't have two days off.

People are like sheep, not even that many bargains. Go online if you really have to.

I do love a nice bag in sale, but very limited ones that are actually in the sale at the moment. As others said just trying to get rid of stock.

The real ' sale' is actually in Nov when a lot of shops do a geniue 20% of almost everything.

I don't think any shops should be open today including supermarkets etc.

Only exception should be say local petrol station, but not them all.

I was actually shocked yesterday how many petrol stations were open. Only a few years ago nearly all would be closed on Christmas Day with the odd one open.

I actually wouldnt open pubs restaurants etc either, let as many people as possible enjoy these two days at Christmas.

People can escape from their families then tomorrow if all too much for them!

I'd go for the full week till new years at least.

Yup, former retail worker here too.

I absolutely loved the madness of Christmas, you were busy but there's usually lots of staff in.

The extra pay is brilliant, I vaguely remember getting triple pay for one of the days.

However you'll only be rostered for the legal amount of hours, so while the shops are open the individual worker will still be only doing the same amount of hours per week as they did in June (management may be slightly different, however most places have a clause that all head office staff have to do hours on the shop floor during Christmas...the biggest headwreck for the normal shop workers, so that gives management a breather too)

Personally I wouldn't go in to the sales today, however I'm out and about tmw and I will be using the shops to kill a few hours while I wait on someone.

Go to the park or visit their Auntie like any sensible person.

I do feel sorry for the retail workers who don't want to work but I hope there paid well.

Similar I do believe some people are happy with the extra cash.

However with Black Friday, etc. I've no idea why you'd want to get up early and go out to a shopping center when you could be relaxing at home.

Surely they could be something else you could do visit family, play games, do stuff outside(Weather permitting), etc.

Oh we have Junior Cluedo aswell, I actually didn't mind it too much, good when he was younger but now he is 7 he wants an upgrade to the real thing😁

They should definitely be closed on the 26th. Selling useless crap to many people who will be struggling financially in the new year...

And other ways to shop to.

Retail workers should get a choice. Either two days before and one day after Christmas off or one day before and two days after. They coukd decide as a group in stores which they want to do it maybe have a vote and if the shop is big enough to have rotating staff then half and half. So some get two days off before Christmas day and some after. They could take turns each year.

I have never witnessed so much pushing in the media for retail this Christmas

anyone else notice this?

Someone spare a thought for the customers who have to give up their day off to make it worthwhile for the shop assistants to go in.

I’d ban them from opening Sundays also.

I got a better idea. Why don't you just go live in France or other European countries where they are closed as you like. There is nothing wrong with them being open on a Sunday. Besides as a poster above said they get double pay on a Sunday. You swear the day was special or something. Its just another day and to some it's probably the only day they wlll get to do their shop or go for some entertainment.

Many jobs do not get double pay for a Sunday.

I didn't say shops should remain closed because of people "loving or believing" in Christmas.

I don't care who celebrates it or who doesn't.

I gave my opinion on sales being delayed for one day until the 27th, to allow for a proper two day break after a very busy time in the retail sector.

So take your ad hominem attack and stuff it up the turkey. 🦃

Merry Christmas.

Sunday is just counted as a standard working day for some people, nothing extra. I personally think any owner who opens a big store on Stephens day are ar**holes and the people who shop their on Stephens day are also ar**holes.