Southern Co-op is to open 67 of its stores and forecourts on Christmas Day, following colleagues volunteering to work.
Just over a third of Southern Co-op’s retail estate across the South will open on Christmas Day, with colleagues opting to work to ensure communities can continue to access essential items.
The initiative came from colleague feedback, with select store teams volunteering to open their doors for a few hours, citing a desire to support customers and neighbours, to valuing the social connection of a shift or not personally marking the day themselves, colleagues shared a variety of reasons for getting behind the tills this festive season.
Southern Co-op added that alongside meeting practical needs, the Christmas Day openings also provide a valuable connection point for customers who might otherwise spend Christmas Day alone and will welcome a friendly interaction during the day.
The list of participating stores and their opening hours will be available via the Southern Co-op store locator in the lead-up to Christmas Day.
Chief operating officer at Southern Co-op, Simon Eastwood, said: “Christmas Day looks different for everyone, but having access to essentials can make a real difference. Whether it’s picking up ingredients for a traditional turkey roast, topping up groceries for a neighbour, or making sure someone has what they need if plans change unexpectedly, our colleagues understand the importance of this and have put themselves forward to open selected stores for a short time.
“We’re incredibly grateful for their commitment, which reflects the heart of co-operative working – people choosing to support others, share in the benefits, and uplift their communities.”
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