The exact date most UK shops reduce their prices and the real sales begin – not Boxing Day
Camping outside major department stores and high street chains on Boxing Day morning, with some shoppers even taking deckchairs and tents, is officially over. While we think of the sales starting the day after Christmas this is not the bestday to bag a bargain. Prices are not greatly reduced, and many major stores are not even opening this year, choosing once again to give their staff a well-earned break as happened last year.
Retailers have increasingly shifted sales to start as early as December 23rd or 24th, or merged them with January sales, meaning the “big” sale on the 26th is often not the best offer. So while Boxing Day is always thought of as the traditional beginning of the sales, it has become more about marketing hype, while true clearance bargains frequently appear later. Boxing Day sales are not entirely dead but they have significantly declined in popularity due to the rise of Black Friday, the shift to online shopping, and constant year-round promotions. So when do you need to hit the high street to find the real bargains?
Boxing Day is often heavily marketed, but data shows that in some cases, only 30% of products may be cheaper on that day compared to earlier in December. True, deeper, and more genuine discounts are often found once the peak shopping period passes.
While many still associate the 26th with the start of sales, the “true” bargains on unsold stock often begin to materialise more strongly in the days immediately following
Real sales often peak around January 2, rather than Boxing Day, because retailers need to clear remaining inventory after the holidays, consumers are more available after the initial festive rush, and deeper, genuine discounts appear when holiday demand dips
Retailers use early January to clear out unsold stock from the holiday season, often selling items at or near cost.
Many shoppers are busy with family or recovering on Boxing Day, whereas by January 2nd or 3rd, they are more active and focused on personal purchases.
Some retailers these days are finding it less profitable to open on Boxing Day due to high holiday pay premiums for staff.
Boxing Day shoppers stayed away from the High Street and shopping centres last year, footfall data suggests. Data gathered by MRI Software showed footfall on UK high streets was down last year by 6.2% in 2023, while shopping centres saw a 4.2% fall in visitors.
Major retailers such as John Lewis, M&S and Next chose not to open the majority of their stores, saying they wanted to give their staff a break over the festive period and many are planning to do the same this year too.
Next has confirmed a HUGE change to its famous Boxing Day sale for 2025.The fashion giant plans to close all of its 500 UK stores on Boxing Day.
Aldi has also confirmed that all its UK branches will be closed on Boxing Day, in line with its previous years’ practice.
Home Bargains is also giving its staff a well-deserved break over Christmas, with all stores closing for Boxing Day.
Marks and Spencer will once again shut most of its stores on Boxing Day, with only a select few service stations remaining open. Both Poundland and The Works will also be closed for the day.
Other high street giants including Dunelm, Pets at Home, Wickes, and B&Q have also confirmed they will not be trading on Boxing Day either.
And with New Year’s Day, January 1st, an official Bank Holiday, that makes Friday, January 2, the day shoppers should head out to pick up the real bargains. One consumer expert added: “Items are often cheaper on January 2 than Boxing Day because retailers are forced to aggressively liquidate remaining stock. Christmas demand has evaporated and consumer panic buying has ended. Prices frequently continue dropping throughout January, making later dates better for clearance.”
