Such is never the case for the MLK holiday. Since it’s always observed on a Monday, post offices are always closed that day . The confusion, however, erupts when federal holidays fall on the weekend. OPM reminds news that, if the holiday falls on a Saturday, it will be observed a day earlier on Friday with a federal closure. If the holiday falls on a Sunday, it will be observed a day later on Monday with a federal closure.

The next holiday after MLK is Washington’s birthday. But OPM reports to news this month that the term “Washington’s Birthday” is referred to differently, based upon jurisdictions. “This holiday is designated as “Washington’s Birthday” in section 6103(a) of title 5 of the United States Code, which is the law that specifies holidays for Federal employees. Though other institutions such as state and local governments and private businesses may use other names, it is our policy to always refer to holidays by the names designated in the law.”

Not only will post offices and banks be closed on Monday, January 16, 2012, but also local and state offices, agencies, and divisions will also be closed. Malls and public transport will be operating as usual.

OPM indicates to news that, because New Year’s Day, a federal holiday, fell on Sunday, OPM has delineated Monday January 2, 2012 as our federal holiday. As result, all federal agencies, courts, and offices will be closed today. The same is true for most state and city agencies, offices, and court houses. Public transport and malls will be open.

OPM reports to news that the same issue will happen in November. On Monday November 12, Veterans Day will be recognized on a Monday because it falls on a Sunday. “November 11, 2012 (the legal public holiday for Veterans Day), falls on a Sunday. For most Federal employees, Monday, November 12, will be treated as a holiday for pay and leave purposes” reports OPM.

In related news, India announced yesterday that it will open its stock market to individual foreign investors. The change is the result of reforms that will be implemented on January 15. In a news statement yesterday, the government said that it is making the change “in order to widen the class of investors, attract more foreign funds, and reduce market volatility and to deepen the Indian capital market.”

OPM reminds news that “when a holiday falls on a non-workday — Saturday or Sunday — the holiday usually is observed on Monday (if the holiday falls on Sunday) or Friday (if the holiday falls on Saturday.” The reason, OPM explains, is that “that most Federal employees work on a Monday through Friday schedule.”

As a result, since New Years’ Day is a Sunday, OPM will close “most” federal offices on Monday January 2. Also this year, USPS customers should mark closures on their calendars for the Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. on January 16 and Washington’s Birthday on Monday February 20.

What happens with other federal agencies on January 2? OPM tells news that most, not all, will be closed.  “For most Federal employees, Monday, January 2, will be treated as a holiday for pay and leave purposes.”

But within an hour, the top British retailer told news it had already set in-store records for After Christmas spending. Selfridges department stores tells news that its four stores in England set an all time one-hour record. Within one hour of opening, the four stores posted $2.02 million in sales. Sue West, Selfridges’ director of operations, tells news that “Despite the Tube disruptions we’ve had a very strong start to our Boxing Day sale, with record sales in the first hour”.

Walmart is expected to have storage sales as well. With warm temperatures in the west and Midwestern states, Walmart shoppers will have great temperatures to aid today’s experience. In contrast, British shoppers didn’t have a Tube today. Workers on the Tube went on strike Monday. The London Underground Ltd. had tried to the stop the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen from going on strike on Boxing Day.

But despite the troubles of travels, shoppers from Walmart in the U.S. to Selfridges in the U.K. are expected to come out in strong numbers. Analysts both in the U.S. and England report positive consumer sentiments today as unemployment rates have improved.

Walmart sales are expected to be aided by the December launch of Shopycat, dubbed the first social shopping app from its recently-formed @WalmartLabs unit. Based upon consumer activities, Shopycat make suggestions to buyers. In a news statement this month, Venky Harinarayan, senior vice president of Walmart Global eCommerce and co-founder of @WalmartLabs, said “As human beings, we are inherently social and shopping is one of the most social activities we engage in.”

Harinarayan added that “Our vision is to delight consumers and Shopycat is a first step in that direction with social and shopping coming together on the scale of Walmart”. Harinarayan believes online activity will be strong today, not just in stores but also online. “At Walmart, we see social commerce fueling the next generation of e-commerce where online and retail stores bring a continuous shopping experience to millions of users. We plan to continue experimenting with products as we build new social apps over the coming year.”

The OPM reminds news each year that, when a federal holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the holiday will recognized the next Monday. Such is the case for the Post Office today on an New Years, officials tell news. The federal holiday is recognized Monday prompting a closure of all branches and no mail delivery. The next time the Post Office will be closed is Monday, January 2, 2012 New Year’s Day.

Postal Officials tell news this week that branches will be open on December 31. But the Post Office will be closed on Monday January 2, 2012 as well. In a news statement, USPS indicates that in “observance of the holidays, Post Offices will be closed Monday, Dec. 26, and Monday Jan. 2. Only Express Mail will be delivered on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day in most major metro areas. Post Offices will resume regular business hours on Tuesday, Dec. 27 and Tuesday, Jan. 3.

Some branches will also have special hours for commercial accounts, USPS tells news. “Commercial customers should check with their Business Mail Entry Units for Dec. 24 and Dec. 31 hours of operation.”

For shoppers, Walmart, Target, Best Buy and all the nation’s top retailers will be open today for After-Christmas sales. Walmart tells news this week that it, socially, has launched a new VUDU entertainment service. “VUDU on Xbox 360 brings more fun into finding, watching and buying your favorite movies and TV shows,” said Edward Lichty, general manager, VUDU, in a news statement this month. “With the new, interactive features on Xbox 360 to browse VUDU’s library, along with special savings like 99-cent VUDU rentals, we hope to make the holidays even more entertaining and affordable for families.”

In January 2012, the OPM will release to news next year’s list of holidays. Today, many banks will be closed as well. Federal agencies will be dark, along with most state and local government offices as well.