The Boxing Day sales in the UK traditionally kick off on 26 December, but many now start earlier. Online sales often go live on Christmas Eve or on Christmas Day itself, and some retailers give early access to app users or email subscribers. In 2026, Boxing Day falls on a Saturday, so the bank holiday moves to Monday 28 December, which gives you a long weekend of sales.
The way to avoid buying things you don't need is to decide what you want before the sales begin, check that the 'sale' price really is lower, and know the returns rules before you pay. Here's how to do each of those.
When the Boxing Day sales usually start, and why some begin on Christmas Day
In shops, the sales usually start on the morning of 26 December. Large shops in England and Wales aren't allowed to open on Christmas Day, and Scotland has similar rules, so the only place a retailer can sell to you on 25 December is online.
That's exactly why so many online sales now launch on Christmas Day evening. Retailers know people are on the sofa scrolling on their phones after lunch, and they'd rather catch you then than wait for the next morning. Some go even earlier, opening sale previews on Christmas Eve for account holders.
Because 26 December 2026 is a Saturday, the substitute bank holiday is Monday 28 December. You can check the official dates on the GOV.UK bank holidays page. Opening hours over the festive period vary, so check your local store before setting off.
Sales rarely stop on Boxing Day. Many run well into January, with further reductions as stock clears. Prices can drop again, but popular sizes and models also sell out, so it's a trade-off. Our guide to when end-of-season sales really start explains how these markdowns tend to unfold.
Which types of shopping tend to be discounted most in the Boxing Day holiday sales
No two years are identical, but some categories reliably see reductions after Christmas because retailers want to clear seasonal stock.
| Category | Why it's often reduced | What to watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Christmas decorations and wrapping | Retailers don't want to store it for a year | Only buy what you'll actually use next December |
| Winter clothing and coats | Spring ranges are on the way | Popular sizes go fast |
| Beauty and fragrance gift sets | Festive packaging dates quickly | Compare against buying the products separately |
| Homeware and bedding | January is a popular time for home refreshes | Check delivery costs on bulky items |
| Electricals | Older models make way for new ones | Compare exact model numbers, not just brand names |
Discount department stores are worth a look too. TJ Hughes, for example, specialises in designer and premium brands at discounted prices, across home furnishings, kitchen appliances, beauty and fragrance, electrical goods, fashion, garden furniture, toys and seasonal items.
How to plan a shortlist before 26 December
A shortlist is the single best defence against impulse buys. Spend twenty minutes on it now and you'll save far more than that in wasted money.
- Write down what you genuinely need. Think about things wearing out, January birthdays and items you've been putting off. If it isn't on the list, it needs a very good reason to end up in your basket.
- Set a total budget. Decide on one figure for the whole sales period, not per shop.
- Note today's prices. Screenshot or jot down the current price of each item, including what it costs in the Black Friday sales. This becomes your benchmark.
- Get your accounts ready. Log in, save your address and check your payment details, so you're not fumbling at checkout while stock disappears.
- Factor in delivery. A bargain can stop being a bargain once postage is added. At TJ Hughes, standard delivery is £4.99 for regular items (3–5 days) and £9.99–£29.99 for larger furniture items (7–10 days), while click-and-collect at its UK stores is free. It also can't deliver large items or furniture to some remote areas, including the Highlands, Shetland Islands, Isle of Man and Channel Islands.
- Bookmark the store pages you'll need. If a room makeover is on your January list, for instance, keep the Decorating Centre Online codes page handy so you can check current offers quickly.
Checking whether a sale price is genuinely lower than before
A big red 'was' price doesn't always mean you're getting a good deal. Consumer group Which? has reported in past years that many festive 'deals' were the same price or cheaper at other times. A few habits help you see through it:
- Compare against your own notes. The prices you recorded in October and November are more reliable than any 'was' price on a banner.
- Use a price history tool. Price tracking sites and browser add-ons show how an item's price has moved over recent months.
- Be wary of RRP comparisons. A product might rarely, if ever, have sold at its recommended retail price.
- Read 'up to' carefully. 'Up to half price' may apply to only a handful of lines.
- Match model numbers. Electricals sometimes come in slightly different versions for sales periods, so compare like with like.
If the price isn't clearly lower than your benchmark, walk away. It will very likely come round again.
Stacking SavZen codes and ZenPoints with Boxing Day deals
Once you've confirmed a price is good, there may be room to save a bit more. On SavZen, each store has its own page listing its current codes and deals, and codes are labelled 'Verified' or 'Unverified'. They're checked by people and by automated tools, but no code is certain to work, and many retailers exclude sale items from discount codes, so always read the terms.
A few practical tips:
- Start with your shortlist. Search the full list of UK stores on SavZen for each shop you plan to buy from.
- Look for postage savings. When a percentage code won't stack with sale prices, a free delivery offer sometimes will.
- Let the extension do the checking. SavZen's free browser extension finds and applies discount codes at checkout, which saves copying and pasting during a busy sale.
You can also earn ZenPoints, SavZen's own reward points, on eligible purchases. To qualify, turn off your ad blocker, go to the store through SavZen and complete your purchase there. Points show as 'pending' once the purchase is tracked and become 'confirmed' when the retailer approves the order, which can take a while depending on the store. Using a code that isn't listed on SavZen may mean you don't receive them.
Using SavZen costs nothing extra: you pay the same price as going to the retailer directly. SavZen may earn a commission from the retailer, which keeps the service free, and you can read how SavZen makes money for the full picture.
Returns and gift receipts to keep in mind after Christmas
Sale purchases still come with your legal rights, but the details depend on how you bought.
- Bought online: for most goods you have 14 days from delivery to cancel under the Consumer Contracts Regulations, even if you simply change your mind. There are exceptions, such as personalised items and unsealed hygiene products.
- Bought in a shop: you have no automatic legal right to return something you've just gone off. Any change-of-mind returns are down to the shop's own policy, so check it before you pay, and ask for gift receipts if you're buying presents.
- Faulty goods: under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, you generally have 30 days to reject a faulty item for a full refund, whether it was in the sale or not.
Store policies can be more generous than the law. TJ Hughes, for instance, lets you return unwanted items within 28 days of delivery in their original packaging for a refund, processed within 14 days of receipt. Delivery charges are only refunded for faulty items, though, so returns can leave you slightly out of pocket.
Bear in mind that returning or changing an order may also mean ZenPoints aren't awarded for it. For anything you're unsure about, Citizens Advice's consumer pages are a reliable place to check your rights.
Before the sales start
Get your shortlist and price notes sorted now, and the Boxing Day rush becomes a quick check of a few pages rather than an afternoon of panic-buying. If you'd like to earn rewards on the things you were going to buy anyway, join SavZen and start collecting ZenPoints: it's free, and new members get 50 ZenPoints once they verify their email address.
Frequently asked questions
Are Boxing Day sales better than Black Friday?
It depends on what you're buying. Seasonal items such as Christmas decorations, gift sets and winter clothing are often cheaper after Christmas, while some electricals see strong reductions in November. Comparing against prices you've noted beforehand is the most reliable way to tell.
Are shops open on Boxing Day?
Many shops open on 26 December, but opening hours vary by retailer, location and part of the UK. Check your local store's festive hours before you travel, or shop online instead.
Can I use a discount code on items that are already in the sale?
Sometimes. Many retailers exclude sale items from discount codes, so check the code's terms on the store page. Free delivery offers are often worth trying when a percentage code won't apply.
Do I still earn ZenPoints if I return a sale item?
ZenPoints may not be awarded if an order is cancelled, returned or changed. Points stay pending until the retailer approves the order, and only then become confirmed.
Does going through SavZen make my sale purchase more expensive?
No. You pay the same price as going to the retailer directly. SavZen may earn a commission from the retailer, which keeps the service free for shoppers.
