Boxing Week
Boxing Week is, at least, the six-day period that
starts with
Boxing Day and ends with
New Year’s Eve. It may also include a few days before
Christmas and/or after
New Year's Day. It is not strictly a week.
Many U.S., Canadian and (increasingly) UK retailers clear their inventory in Boxing Week specials because in many cases:
- Inventory must be counted using expensive labour some time in January.
- Depending on the state, province or municipality, they are often subject to a millage tax (similar to property taxes) on any inventory retained as of 1 January of each year (or 7 January/15 January in some tax jurisdictions).
- They are introducing new products in the new year.
This results in huge lineups at retailers.
Many products have a mail-in rebate to be used, a tactic used by manufacturers to clear their inventory.
Boxing Week coincides with the African festival of Kwanzaa.