There is a fascinating debate brewing across UK supermarkets. It is hard to imagine a more competitive market sector and Christmas represents perhaps the key battlefield for its main players. Market share, revenue and profitability are all up for grabs during this all-important trading period with its massive concentration of activity.
However, the question as to whether to open up for business on Boxing Day is very much to the fore. Last year, Marks & Spencer declined the opportunity to open its doors on the 26th, this year it has succumbed. Similarly, Sainsburys will be opening a record number of its stores this year too. However, not all the big players will be following suit. Waitrose and Morrisons will be remaining shut for both Christmas Day and Boxing Day. According to Mark Harrison, Morrisons’ retail director, “Our colleagues are extremely committed, they work extremely hard and they are entitled to a rest.”
At the same time, it can represent a positive message to potential employees. One hopes that Morrisons benefits from an upturn in employee engagement and advocacy, as a result of flying in the face of the, we might imagine, City pressure and certainly that posed by the likes of Asda and Tesco. This is real engagement in action – great to see an organisation walking the walk as much as talking the talk when it comes to communicating their employer brand.
Getting to the heart of your employee mindset 