As Easter 2026 dawns across England and Wales, shoppers are once again navigating the annual puzzle of supermarket opening hours, with a few unexpected twists thrown in for good measure. This year, the holiday falls on Sunday, April 5, and if you’re hoping to pop out for last-minute chocolate eggs or ingredients for a family meal, it pays to know which doors will actually be open.
According to Wales Online, the most important rule for Easter Sunday is simple: large supermarkets in England and Wales must close by law. This isn’t just a tradition—it’s a legal requirement, designed to give retail workers a much-needed day off during the holiday. That means the likes of Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Morrisons, Aldi, Lidl, M&S Food, and Waitrose will keep their main stores shuttered for the day. As Yahoo notes, “retail workers will have a well needed day off to celebrate the festivities.”
But before you panic about running out of milk or hot cross buns, there’s some good news. Smaller convenience stores—think Tesco Express, Co-op, Sainsbury’s Local, Morrisons Daily, and Little Waitrose—are allowed to open, providing a lifeline for those inevitable last-minute dashes. As Wales Online reports, “smaller convenience stores like Tesco Express and Co-op locations will be open this Easter Sunday from 7am to 11pm (Co-op closes generally at 10/11pm).” So, while the big shops are shut, these smaller branches are stepping up to keep communities ticking along.
Let’s break down the details supermarket by supermarket, so you can plan your Easter weekend without any nasty surprises.
Tesco is the UK’s biggest supermarket, and its approach reflects the national rules. All Tesco superstores and Tesco Extra branches will be closed on Easter Sunday, April 5, 2026, with doors reopening on Easter Monday. However, most Tesco Express stores will be open, with hours typically running from as early as 6am until 11pm, though some may close a little earlier at 10pm. As Liverpool Echo highlights, “Tesco opening hours will vary based on store size. All Liverpool Superstores will be closed on Easter Sunday. Most Tesco Express stores across the city will be open on Easter Sunday, with some opening as early as 6am and closing as late as 11pm.”
Sainsbury’s follows a similar pattern. All Sainsbury’s supermarkets in England and Wales will be closed on Easter Sunday, but Sainsbury’s Local convenience stores will remain open, generally from 7am to 11pm. In Scotland, the rules are different—Sainsbury’s supermarkets there will open as usual in line with Sunday trading hours. As per Liverpool Echo, “Sainsbury’s supermarkets will be closed on Easter Sunday in the UK, apart from in Scotland where stores will open in line with Sunday trading hours. Convenience stores will be open as usual from 7am to 11pm.”
Asda shoppers should also plan ahead. All larger Asda stores are closed on Easter Sunday, but as with other chains, convenience formats may have different hours. Good Friday and Easter Monday see more regular schedules, with most large Asda stores open from 7am to 10pm on Good Friday, closed on Easter Sunday, and then reopening from 8am to 10pm on Easter Monday. Customers are advised to check individual store opening times using Asda’s online locator.
Morrisons is in the same boat. Its larger supermarkets in England and Wales, including branches in New Brighton, Speke, and Belle Vale, will be closed on Easter Sunday. However, most Morrisons Daily convenience stores will be open as usual, with typical Sunday hours running from 7am to 9pm or 8am to 10pm, according to Liverpool Echo. As for fuel, there’s a wrinkle: Morrisons clarified that all of its fuel stations are owned and operated by MFG, which declined to comment on the recent fuel shortages affecting some UK drivers.
Aldi and Lidl are both closing their doors on Easter Sunday, too, with Aldi stores reopening on Easter Monday from 8am. Iceland, meanwhile, is a bit of a wildcard—its hours vary widely by branch, so as the Wales Online and Yahoo articles suggest, checking the store locator online is the safest bet.
M&S Food is mostly closed on Easter Sunday, though branches in service stations and Little Waitrose stores are the exception—they’ll be open from 7am to 10pm. Waitrose’s high street stores will be shut, but its service station and Little Waitrose locations will also be open during those hours.
It’s not just about groceries, though. This Easter, the UK is also facing a different kind of supply challenge: fuel shortages. According to the Worcester News, drivers in the week leading up to April 5 have encountered empty pumps at several petrol stations, including Tesco Express London Road in Worcester. Shadow transport secretary Richard Holden seized on the issue, blaming Labour’s energy policies and the impact of the Iran war. He argued, “Labour’s energy failure is wrecking the Easter getaway before families have even packed their bags, grounding holidays and sending air fares into the skies.”
Holden didn’t mince words, adding, “Britain is left exposed, families are left paying, and Labour sit on their hands as the dream of a family holiday vanish.” The rising cost of jet fuel, driven by Middle East conflict, is being passed on to travelers, he claimed, while Labour’s “net zero obsession” is allegedly undermining the country’s energy security.
Supermarkets themselves have responded in varying ways to the fuel crunch. Morrisons, when asked about shortages, pointed out that MFG operates all of its fuel stations and declined further comment. Sainsbury’s, meanwhile, reassured customers that it is “actively monitoring stock levels in all locations and continuing to resupply sites where needed.” Tesco and Asda were also approached for comment but had not responded as of April 5, 2026.
All of this means that, whether you’re planning an Easter feast or a road trip, it’s more important than ever to check your local store’s hours and fuel availability before setting out. As Wales Online and Yahoo both emphasize, opening times can vary by location and store format, and the safest approach is to consult your supermarket’s website or app for the latest updates.
For those relying on smaller stores, the general rule is that most convenience branches—Tesco Express, Co-op, Sainsbury’s Local, Morrisons Daily, and Little Waitrose—will be open, usually from early morning until late evening. Larger supermarkets, however, will remain closed on Easter Sunday in England and Wales, reopening on Easter Monday with slightly reduced hours in many cases.
So, if you’re hoping to avoid an empty fridge or a fruitless drive to the pumps, a little planning goes a long way this Easter weekend. With a patchwork of opening hours and some uncertainty at the fuel stations, checking ahead could save you a lot of frustration—and maybe even rescue your holiday plans.