If you’re planning to stock up for the festive season, it’s crucial to check the opening and closing times of your local supermarket. The Christmas and New Year period can be a hectic time for supermarkets as customers complete their holiday shopping.
Moreover, the onset of January sales in the New Year sees shoppers rushing to snag discounted deals on various items. This could potentially disrupt your shopping plans due to altered operating hours.
Opening and closing times can differ from one store to another. So, if you’re planning to pick up your groceries for the festive season, here’s a rundown of the opening and closing times for every major UK supermarket:
Aldi
Aldi has confirmed that many of its stores will have varying opening times throughout the Christmas period. However, it has assured that stores will remain open and closed on these dates:.
When Aldi will be closed
- Thursday, December 25
- Friday, December 26
- Thursday, January 1
Many Aldi branches will open their doors on Christmas Eve from 7am to 6pm, and on New Year’s Eve from 8am to 6pm, although these times may vary. You can check your local Aldi’s opening and closing times across the Christmas period on the supermarket’s store finder here.
Asda
Numerous Asda stores will stay open on Christmas Eve from 5am to 7pm, and on Boxing Day from 9am to 6pm. For the New Year period, some stores will operate from 7am to 7pm on New Year’s Eve and 9am to 6pm on New Year’s Day.
However, this will likely vary from store to store, so it’s worth checking your local Asda’s opening and closing times on its store finder here.
Co-op
The Co-op has confirmed that many of its stores may operate on reduced hours during bank holidays, including Christmas and New Year’s Day. The opening and closing times of some Co-op supermarkets may differ from those of their convenience store counterparts.
For instance, some Co-op supermarkets will shut early at 7pm on Christmas Eve, while convenience stores could open as early as 6am and close at 8pm. Although the stores will be closed on Christmas Day, many will open from 10am to 7pm on Boxing Day.
As for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, most stores will likely close early at 7pm. More details can be found on the Co-op store finder here.
Lidl
Lidl has confirmed the following opening and closuing hours for its stores across the festive period:
- Saturday, December 20 – from 7am to 10pm
- Sunday, December 21 – from 1pm to 6pm
- Monday, December 22 – from 7am to 10pm
- Tuesday, December 23 – from 7am to 10pm
- Wednesday, December 24 – from 7amm to 10pm
- Friday, December 25 – closed
- Saturday, December 26 – closed
- Wedneesday, December 31 – from 8am to 6pm
- Thursday, January 1 – closed
Full details for your local Lidl can be found on the store finder here.
Tesco
Many Tesco stores are anticipated to open early at 6am and shut at 7pm, while Tesco Express branches may extend their hours from 7am until 10pm. On Christmas Day, all stores will be closed, but Boxing Day will see most Tesco supermarkets open from 9am to 6pm, with Tesco Express locations typically operating from 9am to 7pm.
On New Year’s Eve, most Tesco stores will open at 6am and close earlier than usual at 7pm, while Tesco Express outlets may trade between 7am and 10pm. On New Year’s Day, Tesco stores will mostly operate from 9am to 6pm, with Tesco Express branches likely to open slightly longer, from 8am to 10pm.
Full details for your local store can be found on the Tesco store finder here.
M&S
Many M&S stores are expected to operate under reduced hours over the festive period. On Christmas Eve, branches will mostly open from 6am and close at 7pm.
On Christmas Day and Boxing Day, most stores are expected to remain closed.
New Year’s will also affect M&S’ opening hours with most stores opening at 8am before closing early at 7pm. All M&S branches will then remain closed throughout New Year’s Day.
Further details can be found on the M&S store finder here.
Morrisons
On Christmas Eve, Morrisons’ opening times will vary by location, though the vast majority of branches are set to trade between 6am and 6pm. All stores will remain closed on Christmas Day, before reopening on Boxing Day, when most locations will operate from 9am until 6pm.
Trading hours for the New Year will be slightly adjusted. Morrisons stores are set to open from 7am to 7pm on New Year’s Eve, and most will revert to a 9am to 6pm schedule on New Year’s Day.
Further details for your local branch can be found on the Morrisons store finder here.
Sainsbury’s
Sainsbury’s will alter many of its opening and closing times on Christmas Eve, with most stores expected to open from 6am to 7pm, while convenience stores may stay open a bit longer, from 6am to 9pm. All Sainsbury’s stores will be closed on Christmas Day.
On Boxing Day, most supermarkets will be open from 9am to 6pm, with convenience stores typically operating from 9am to 9pm. On New Year’s Eve, larger Sainsbury’s stores are expected to open from 10am to 7pm, while convenience stores may run from 6am to 9pm.
On New Year’s Day, larger Sainsbury’s stores are scheduled to operate from 8am to 8pm, with convenience stores generally opening between 9am and 9pm.
Further details for your local branch can be found via Sainsbury’s store finder here.
Waitrose
Waitrose has confirmed that only some stores at Welcome Break Service stations will maintain their usual trading hours on Christmas Day. However, most Waitrose locations will be closed on Boxing Day, with only a small number remaining open for Uber Eats, Deliveroo, and Just Eat orders.
On New Year’s Day, the majority of shops will be accepting orders via Uber Eats, Just Eat, and Deliveroo. Further details can be found on the Waitrose store finder here.
