Aldi has confirmed a three-day shutdown of all its stores across the United Kingdom this festive season, granting its workforce a valuable extended break.
Festive Closure Dates Confirmed
The supermarket giant will close its doors on Christmas Day and remain shut on Boxing Day, Friday, December 26, reopening on Saturday, December 27. Furthermore, stores will also be closed on New Year's Day, Thursday, January 1, 2026, welcoming customers back on Friday, January 2.
This decision is a direct gesture to allow Aldi's employees the opportunity to relax and celebrate the holidays with their friends and family.
A 'Thank You' to Hard-Working Colleagues
Rebecca Heley, Communications Director at Aldi UK, explained the reasoning behind the closure. "Christmas is a special time, and we want to ensure all of our colleagues have the opportunity to relax and enjoy it with their loved ones," she said. "We know how hard colleagues work to deliver an amazing Christmas for our customers, and this is one small way of saying thank you."
This move follows a recent pay increase for Aldi's store employees in September, which saw starting wages for Store Assistants rise to £13.02 per hour nationally and £14.05 within the M25. The retailer also emphasised that it remains the only UK supermarket to offer paid breaks to its staff.
Extended Hours and Industry Trend
In the run-up to the festive closures, Aldi has announced that store opening hours will be extended to help shoppers get everything they need before the celebrations begin.
Aldi is not alone in implementing a three-day holiday shutdown. Earlier this autumn, competitor Home Bargains also revealed plans to close on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year's Day. A spokesperson for the family-run business stated this was to recognise the incredible hard work of their colleagues and give them additional time off to enjoy the festive season with their families.
