MARKS & Spencer is making a major change to all of its stores this Christmas – with more staff set to work on Boxing Day for the first time in five years.
The retailer is ending its recent tradition of keeping most shops shut on the bank holiday as it gears up for one of the busiest trading periods of the year.
The retailer said this caused knock-on issues with replenishing stock and maintaining store standards[/caption]
The change will impact stores across the UK, as M&S looks to boost its post-Christmas operations and ensure shelves are fully restocked.
According to The Guardian, around a quarter of store employees will now be required to work on Boxing Day, while all staff must work at least one of December, 26, 27 or 28.
A document from Marks & Spencer seen by the publication revealed that last year, over 40 per cent of permanent staff and 30 per cent of seasonal workers did not work on one of those peak days.
The retailer said this caused knock-on issues with replenishing stock and maintaining store standards.
To avoid similar problems this year, it stated that “all colleagues must play their part to deliver a successful Christmas.”
Jayne Wall, operations director for Marks & Spencer, said: “Christmas at Marks and Spencer is very special and we are grateful to our hardworking colleagues who make our stores great places for our customers to shop.
“Like most retailers, we always have some colleagues in our stores and depots on Boxing Day to help reset.
However, this year we will have more colleagues working than previously so we are in great shape to welcome customers on 27 December.”
The change marks a significant shift for M&S, which decided to close most of its stores on Boxing Day in 2020 as a gesture of thanks after staff worked tirelessly throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.
The retailer had continued the policy since then, saying it wanted to give employees a “much-deserved extended break with their family and loved ones.”
However, this year’s move comes after a turbulent few months for the business.
M&S was hit by a major cyber attack over Easter, which caused widespread disruption to its systems and operations.
The company has since faced staff shortages and logistical challenges, prompting the change in Christmas staffing.
Not all employees are happy about the decision.
Some have said they feel pressured into accepting additional hours during what is usually considered a family holiday.
One M&S worker said: “This has been an incredibly difficult year for colleagues dealing with the cyber incident and the company has been reluctant to give extra hours to stores, so many stores are dealing with low colleague numbers.
“After such a hard time many colleagues feel this is an extra slap in the face.”
Another team member is reported to have written on the retailer’s internal messaging platform expressing disappointment at the move.
They said: “Over recent months it’s been recognised that colleagues have gone above and beyond, doing everything asked of them to keep standards high and deliver excellent service during very challenging times.
“That’s why it feels especially disheartening that Christmas – such a precious time for family – is being disrupted for so many of us.
“Instead of feeling rewarded for our commitment, it comes across more like a punishment.”
HISTORY OF M&S
M&S was founded in 1884 by Michael Marks and Thomas Spencer in Leeds.
The first official Marks and Spencer store opened in Manchester in 1901.
Throughout the 1920s, M&SA gre rapidly, opening more and more stores across the country.
The retailer made its reputation in the early 20th century by selling only British-made products.
It began textile sales in 1926 and started selling food from 1931.
The St Michael trademark was introduced in 1928 as a guarantee of quality and value.
This was initially used only for a small range of textiles but was extended over the years to cover all goods sold by M&S.
M&S introduced its first in-store cafe in 1935 in the Leeds store.
It provided cheap, hygienic, and nutritious mass catering.
By 1942, M&S opened 82 cafes across its estate.
At the outbreak of the Second World War, M&S had 234 stores.
By 1945, over 100 of these had been damaged by bombs, and 16 had been completely destroyed.
BY 1960, M&S pioneered in the sale of fresh poultry following the invention of the cold-chain process.
In the 1970s and 1980s, M&S pushed into international markets including the US, Canada and France.
In 1979, M&S introduced the Chicken Kiev to its food halls across the UK.
In 1992, Percy Pigs were launched.
The Autograph range of clothing was introduced in 2000, and the St Michael brand was slowly phased out.
In 2019, the group announced 110 store closures as part of its plans, affecting several longstanding high-street shops.
In September 2020, M&S partnered with Ocado to allow for home delivery of the chain’s full food range.
M&S has recently announced new stores and is freshening up a swathe of others in a boost for shoppers.
