High Street retailers closed up shop on Boxing Day due to fears of spiralling staff costs, expert claims

Spiralling staff costs for High Street retailers, compounded by fears over Rachel Reeves’ Budget, pushed many to keep their shops closed on Boxing Day, it was claimed last night. Ms Palmer, a partner in restructuring firm Begbies Traynor, said staffing costs were ‘breaking the back’ of some shops, adding: ‘Do they want to spend extra getting those staff in when they’re not sure what footfall is going to be like?’ She said some retailers may have used the idea of an extended Christmas break for their workers to put a ‘positive spin’ on what was essentially a cost-cutting measure. Pictured: Shoppers on Regent Street for the Boxing Day sales Marks & Spencer kept stores closed on December 26, claiming it was to allow staff more time with their loved ones over the festive season Many offices closed on Friday, December 20, and will not reopen until January 6, as Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day all fall in the middle of the week. She added: ‘The first three months of 2025 could be one of the most dangerous quarters for retailers in recent years.’ Last week, data from Rendle Intelligence and Insights revealed the number of shoppers hitting the High Street in the final week before Christmas was 11 per cent lower than last year.