Big shops stay shut as Covid-hit staff are given Boxing Day off after a year dominated by the pandemic

Queuing in the cold to land the best bargains is a familiar Boxing Day routine for many.

But shoppers will this morning find the doors of some of Britain’s biggest retailers firmly shut.

John Lewis, Marks & Spencer, Next and Argos, along with a host of supermarkets, have decided not to open, giving workers a day off after a year dominated by the pandemic.

Queuing in the cold to land the best bargains is a familiar Boxing Day routine for many

The UK’s largest toy chain, The Entertainer, will stay shut on religious grounds, as it does every Sunday.

However, the good news for deal-hunters – and anyone put off visiting the High Street by the dank weather and the spread of Omicron – is that retailers are offering discounts of up to 70 per cent online.

Amazon, Boots and Asos all launched their Boxing Day sales early on their websites, with the prices of sought-after items, such as Apple AirPods, slashed.

But shoppers will this morning find the doors of some of Britain’s biggest retailers firmly shut

Some of the biggest bargains are on clothing with many retailers left with excess stock after the Christmas party season was hit by Covid.

Catherine Shuttleworth, of shopper marketing specialist Savvy, said: ‘The shopping spree starts on Christmas Day as soon as people open gift vouchers.

‘With the stores shut and the weather grotty, people will mostly be doing their shopping online.’