Home Bargains has officially announced that it will once again shut down for a three-day period during the Christmas season. The discount retailer has a tradition of closing its stores on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day to provide its dedicated staff with a well-deserved break, and this year is no different. Additionally, all Home Bargains stores will be closed on Christmas Day, as per usual.
In a recent Facebook post, Home Bargains conveyed, “Christmas announcement. All of our stores will be closing for Boxing Day & New Year’s Day.” The statement extended gratitude to all employees for their hard work throughout the year, encouraging them to unwind and enjoy the Christmas holiday with their families. The message signed off with “Love from team HB.”
Home Bargains has observed the practice of closing on Boxing Day for the past five years. Typically, store operating hours are until 8 pm on weekdays and Saturdays, with Sunday hours usually ending at 4 pm. The discount retailer operates a network of over 600 stores across the UK, garnering numerous comments from both staff and customers on its Facebook post. Michelle White praised the decision, acknowledging the importance of time off, while Tani Macfarlane expressed support for giving staff the opportunity to spend time with their families.
Other commenters commended Home Bargains for prioritizing its employees, emphasizing the significance of family time during the holiday season. The move to close on Boxing Day aligns with the sentiment that all retail establishments should consider giving their staff a break during this festive period.
Furthermore, Home Bargains recently implemented AI cameras at self-checkouts to combat theft by identifying unscanned items. Teaming up with tech companies like SAI (Storewide Active Intelligence) and Everseen, the retailer is conducting a trial to enhance security measures. The AI technology is specifically designed to detect “misscans” and “skip scans” at self-checkouts, alerting staff to unauthorized items passing through the checkout process.
The introduction of this technology aims to deter shoplifting incidents, addressing the rising concerns of retail crime. Home Bargains’ operations director, Paul Rowland, highlighted the effectiveness of the new technology in comparison to traditional security methods. This measure underscores the retailer’s commitment to enhancing security protocols and ensuring a safe shopping environment for both customers and employees.