Aldi will be keeping all of its 1,000 stores closed this Boxing Day to give its staff some time off this Christmas.

The discount supermarket chain confirmed the move through a statement from its communications director Richard Thorton. In his statement, he said Aldi recognised that Christmas was an "important time" for many of its staff and keeping their stores closed on Boxing Day allowed them to spend more time with family.

He added: "Customers will have plenty to look forward to in the run-up to Christmas, with more of Aldi’s brand-new Christmas ranges arriving in stores over the next few weeks.” This is not the first time Aldi has decided to remain closed on the bank holiday after Christmas.

The discount chain is known for remaining closed for both Christmas bank days over the festive period - rather than just on Christmas Day - so the announcement really isn't a surprise. The news comes after discount retailer Poundland announced that it would be closing stores on both Boxing Day and New Year's day so colleagues could get a well-deserved break.

Home Bargains has also confirmed that it would be doing the same. Originally, all businesses and retailers closed on both Christmas Day and Boxing Day. During this time the Christmas sales would begin on December 27.

However around 20 years ago - after Sunday trading laws changed in the 1990s - Boxing Day began to gain a reputation of being a day for shopping. Over the last decade, almost all supermarkets and retailers opened their doors to shoppers the day after Christmas.

However, there is potential for this to change. Given how well-received the decision has been in the past, and how much praise the public has given companies who have allowed staff such bank holidays off, there is a potential that other retailers may also announce they are to close on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.

In the coming weeks, retailers and supermarkets will be confirming their opening hours around Christmas and the Mirror will keep you updated on these as we approach the festive season.

Aldi has been approached by The Mirror for comment.