"UK: Sainsbury's predicts "squeezed" Christmas"
The 23 December is traditionally the busiest day of the year for supermarkets before Christmas. However, because that day falls on a Sunday trading is restricted to just six hours. "Sunday will be the busiest time ever in grocery retailing. That's not just something for us, I think that's something for the industry in general," said Commercial Director Mike Coupe on a store visit in Epsom yesterday.
The government's refusal to allow extended trading hours on 23 December meant “a massive logistical challenge” for Sainsbury’s in terms of marshalling car parks, moving shoppers through stores and packing bags. To cope with demand the retailer is planning to keep the tills open at some of its stores for an hour after the official closing time on the Sunday.
Under Sunday trading laws, retailers must close their doors after six hours of trading. However, customers who have entered the store before the official end of trading are allowed to keep shopping. This means that some of Sainsbury’s busiest stores have booked staff to serve at checkouts for an hour after closing time. The retailer will also open its stores an hour early to allow customers to browse.
The group will have 20,000 more store staff over the key Christmas trading period, up from 15,000 last year.
Source: kamcity.com
