Benefits of a two-and-a-half day retail closure over Christmas

There is a cogent case for a full two-and-a-half day Christmas retail closure like in Germany to include full closure on Boxing Day and much earlier closure on Christmas Eve.

In Germany, December 26 is much more accurately called “Second Christmas Day”, and as such should be about friends, families, community - not the sales.

A longer Christmas break also boosts profits as more goods and fuel would be bought prior to a two-and-a-half day Christmas closure - and upon reopening. Cutting out the mad race to the sales also reduces pressure on emergency services. A two-and-a-half day retail closure is manifestly in the interests of retail companies and shareholders - and society.

John Barstow,

USDAW executive council member, Pulborough, W. Sussex