Record total of shops to open this Boxing Day as firms try to maximise Christmas spending

By Daily Mail Reporter
Updated: 16:32 EST, 3 October 2011

A record number of high street stores will open on Boxing Day this year as firms try to squeeze all they can out of the festive spending-spree.

The Christmas and the January sales are crucial for retailers, which cannot afford to let their rivals grab any cash that customers may be willing to spend.

Marks & Spencer will open 90 of its larger stores for the first time, while – unlike last year – Next will open more than 400 stores in England and Wales.

High Street: More shops than ever before will be open for business on Boxing Day

High Street: More shops than ever before will be open for business on Boxing Day

And with most of the major supermarkets also planning to open, December 26, which this year falls on a Monday, will become more like an ordinary shopping day than ever before.

Last year, when Boxing Day was on a Sunday, M&S opened only a few of its Simply Food outlets at petrol stations and travel hubs.

A spokesman said: ‘This year we know that our customers will be out and about in shopping centres, so it makes sense for us to open.’

Next: The clothing chain will open all its branches on December 26

Next: The clothing chain will open all its branches on December 26

Fashion chain Next opened outlets only in Scotland on Boxing Day last year.

This year, all of its UK stores will be trading and – based on past history – bargain-hunters are likely to join long queues well before midnight on  Christmas Day until the doors open at 6am.

Comments (24)

Share what you think

 View all

The comments below have not been moderated.

 View all

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

We are no longer accepting comments on this article.

Who is this week's top commenter? Find out now