Home Bargains has announced that it will once again shut down for three days during the festive season. The discount retailer traditionally closes its stores on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day to allow its dedicated employees to take a well-deserved break. This year, all Home Bargains stores will also be closed on Christmas Day.
In a recent Facebook post, Home Bargains stated, “Christmas announcement. All of our stores will be closing for Boxing Day & New Year’s Day.” The message expressed gratitude to the hardworking staff for their efforts throughout the year and encouraged them to enjoy the holiday period with their families.
For the past five years, Home Bargains has kept its doors closed on Boxing Day, with operating hours typically ending around 8 pm on weekdays and Saturdays, and until 4 pm on Sundays. With over 600 stores across the UK, the retailer’s decision to close during the holidays has garnered positive feedback from both employees and customers on social media platforms.
Additionally, Home Bargains recently introduced AI cameras at self-checkouts to combat theft by identifying unscanned items. The technology, developed in collaboration with tech firms SAI and Everseen, aims to detect “misscans” and “skip scans,” alerting staff to discrepancies at the checkout.
This security measure comes in response to a surge in retail crime and is part of Home Bargains’ efforts to enhance loss prevention strategies. According to Home Bargains operations director Paul Rowland, the use of AI cameras has proven more effective than traditional security measures in preventing theft incidents.
As the retail industry grapples with challenges related to security and employee well-being, Home Bargains’ proactive approach underscores its commitment to both customer service and staff welfare.
