Easter weekend is approaching, and a last-minute realization can strike – a forgotten chocolate egg, a missing ingredient for a festive meal. But don't despair; navigating supermarket opening hours over the holiday doesn't have to be a stressful scramble.
Across England and Wales, most major supermarkets will observe a near-complete closure on Easter Sunday, offering staff a well-deserved day of rest. However, Scotland presents a different picture, with some Lidl branches remaining open for business as usual.
Looking ahead to Easter Monday, conditions vary significantly. Lidl stores outside of London, and those in Wales, will welcome shoppers from 8 am to 8 pm. Those within the capital and across Scotland will maintain their regular schedules.
Marks & Spencer’s approach is highly localized. While many larger stores will close on Easter Sunday, smaller branches are likely to operate with normal or slightly reduced hours. Checking your local store’s specific timings is essential.
Tesco offers a tiered system. Its larger stores will close earlier than usual on Easter Monday and remain shut all day Sunday. Fortunately, Tesco Express locations will remain open throughout the entire Easter period, providing a convenient option for urgent needs.
Aldi will be closed on Easter Sunday, and may operate with reduced hours on Easter Monday. It’s best to confirm the specific timings for your nearest Aldi store before making a trip.
Morrisons’ larger stores will also close early on Easter Monday and remain completely closed on Easter Sunday. However, their smaller Daily shops will continue to serve customers as usual, offering a reliable option for essential items.
Sainsbury’s presents a mixed bag. Sainsbury’s Local stores will generally remain open, with a few exceptions closing on Easter Sunday. Larger Sainsbury’s stores will be closed on Sunday and may close early on Monday.
The Co-op stands out as one of the most consistently open supermarkets. The majority of its stores will operate as normal throughout the Easter period, with some even maintaining 24-hour service.
Asda’s large stores will be closed on Easter Sunday, but will operate normally on Easter Monday. Asda Express Petrol stations will remain open around the clock, while regular Express shops will follow their usual schedules.
Waitrose mirrors the pattern of many larger chains, with most of its large stores closing on Easter Sunday. Smaller Waitrose shops may remain open with reduced hours, and the chain will generally operate as normal on Easter Monday.
Ultimately, a little planning can save a lot of frustration. Before heading out, it’s always wise to verify the opening hours of your local supermarket to ensure a smooth and stress-free Easter weekend.
