During the holiday season, supermarkets across the nation will be operating on reduced hours or closing entirely. Shoppers should note that most supermarkets will be completely shut on December 25, with Aldi, Lidl and M&S also closed on December 26. Most stores will operate regular hours between the holidays and will be open, albeit later than usual, on New Year’s Day but overall it's advisable to check with your local store before heading out as they could have unique opening hours.
Aldi will stay open until 6pm on Christmas Eve and will only reopen from 8am to 8pm on December 27, 28 and 30. On December 29, stores will be open from 9:30am until 4pm, and they will close at 6pm on December 31, resuming normal operating hours on January 2.
AsdaAsda stores will also be completely closed on Christmas Day but will be open every other day of the festive season. Stores will close at 7pm on December 24 and should open from 9am to 6pm on December 26. Normal opening hours apply from December 27 to December 30. Stores will close at 7pm on December 31 and will reopen at 9am on New Year’s Day.
LidlAll Lidl outlets will be shut on Christmas Day and New Year's Day, with the majority also closing their doors on Boxing Day. On December 24 and December 31, stores will close early at 6pm. Normal opening hours should apply for the rest of the holiday period, but it's advisable to check with your local store.
M&SEvery Marks and Spencer's outlet will shut at 7pm on December 24 and won't reopen until December 27. They will close at 7pm each day up until December 31, and be completely closed on January 1.
MorrisonsMost Morrisons stores will close between 6pm and 7pm on December 24 and won't reopen until December 26, from 9am to 6pm. Stores are expected to open between 6am and 7am on December 31 but will close at 7pm. On New Year’s Day, stores will be open from 9am to 6pm. Morrisons petrol stations will largely have the same opening hours except for an early close at 6:30pm on December 24, they won't be open on Christmas Day but will reopen around 8.30am on December 26, closing again at 6:30pm before resuming normal hours the next day.
Sainsbury’sSainsbury’s outlets nationwide will be closed on December 25, but the rest of the holiday period will see varying opening hours for convenience, superstores and local stores. Convenience stores will close at 9pm on December 24 and January 1. Local stores will open from 9am to 9pm on December 26 and 6am to 9pm on December 31.
However, most other Sainsbury’s stores will close at 7pm on December 24, 6pm on December 26 and will only be open from 10am to 7pm on December 31. Their online services will also be unavailable on December 25 and 26.
TescoTesco's operating hours differ from branch to branch, but the majority, including petrol stations, will be shut on December 25. Most Tesco Extras and superstores will be open from 9am to 7pm on Christmas Eve, December 24.
On December 26, Tesco Extras and superstores will have altered opening times, from 9am to 6pm. Express shops are expected to stay open until 7pm on Boxing Day. Local Tesco's will remain open until 10pm on December 31, and most superstores and Express shops will open at 8am on the first day of 2025.
WaitroseWaitrose is likely to be the only supermarket open on Christmas Day, but only at Welcome Break Service stations and Shell forecourts. Most stores will be closed on December 26 and January 1, although some may accept Deliveroo or Uber Eats orders, however, customers are advised to check their local store’s opening hours during the holidays.
