Owner of toy store to lose '£2.3m profit' by putting God before sales
A CHRISTIAN toyshop owner could lose £2.3million in sales after deciding to close his 149 stores on Christmas Eve rather than open on a Sunday.
The Entertainer Store owner Gary Grant will close his 149 stores on Christmas Eve
Gary Grant, boss of The Entertainer stores, is to give his 1,700 staff the day off instead.
He estimated it could cost him 1.5 per cent of annual turnover, which is about £152million.
Mr Grant said: “We don’t trade on any Sunday of the year, and as the dates have fallen for the current year, we will be closed for what will be the second largest trading day of the year.”
The devout Christian said this was because one of the Commandments said “keep the Sabbath holy”.
Gary could potentially lose £2.3million in sales
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He said: “As a Christian, I believe in families. “I have my own children, I have six grandchildren.
"Being able to have one day that we can be together is very important.”
Mr Grant said giving staff the day off strengthened family life.
The devout Christian said this was because one of the Commandments said 'keep the Sabbath holy'
He said: “It’s important to them, regardless of what they believe.”
The Entertainer chain, based in Amersham, Bucks, is part of the Keep Sunday Special campaign with shopworkers’ union Usdaw, which has praised the decision.