DIY Stores Ban Festive Cheer on Shop Floors

Retailer Screwfix has reportedly prohibited staff from putting up Christmas decorations on shop floors, restricting festive displays to staff rooms only. This decision, made by head office, has reportedly left employees disappointed, with some comparing it to the character Scrooge. The company, however, maintains that its employees are still celebrating the season, with staff encouraged to wear Christmas jumpers and festive items available for customers.

This move echoes a similar decision by HSBC, which asked customer-facing staff not to wear Christmas jumpers. The bank cited concerns about professionalism and sensitivity when dealing with customers discussing financial matters or personal difficulties. While HSBC branches can still be decorated, the ban on jumpers aims to ensure a professional demeanor.

Elsewhere, Tesco has drawn criticism for renaming Christmas trees to 'evergreen trees' on its website and in stores. This rebranding sparked outrage online, with many labeling it as 'woke nonsense.' Tesco stated the name clarifies the tree type, assuring customers a wide selection of Christmas products is available.