Woolworths won't be allowed to have thousands of staff pack shelves on Christmas Day in NSW after the state government rejected the plan.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet on Monday confirmed Treasury had refused the supermarket giant's application, unconvinced it was an "exceptional circumstance".
The department's deputy secretary found no evidence to support that claim that it was in the public's interest for employees to work on December 25.
"My view is businesses should do everything they can to ensure staff have the day off to spend with their families," Mr Perrottet tweeted.
The retail workers' union labelled it a "big win" for workers and their families but doesn't believe it goes far enough.
It wants the government to ban trading on Boxing Day.
"The only thing opening stores on the 26th does is rob workers and their families of the opportunity to spend the festive season together," SDA NSW Secretary Bernie Smith said in a statement.
