As Easter approaches, supermarkets across the UK are preparing for a busy Bank Holiday weekend, but shoppers should be aware of varying opening hours. With Good Friday on April 18, Easter Sunday on April 20, and Easter Monday on April 21, many major supermarkets will implement different schedules, particularly due to government regulations that require larger stores to close on Easter Sunday.
In England and Wales, stores exceeding 280 square meters must shut their doors on Easter Sunday, while smaller outlets may remain open. This means that for many families planning their Easter celebrations, knowing the opening hours of their local supermarkets is essential to avoid last-minute surprises.
Here’s a breakdown of the Easter opening hours for major supermarkets:
Aldi: Most Aldi locations will be open on Good Friday from 8am to 10pm and will also operate under the same hours on Easter Saturday, April 19. However, all Aldi stores will be closed on Easter Sunday, April 20, and will reopen on Easter Monday, April 21, from 8am to 8pm. Customers are advised to check specific store hours online.
Lidl: Similar to Aldi, Lidl stores will be open on Good Friday and Easter Saturday from 8am to 10pm. On Easter Sunday, all locations in England and Wales will be closed, but Scottish stores will open from 8am to 9pm. On Easter Monday, April 21, Lidl will open at 9am and close at 9pm.
Tesco: Tesco’s larger stores will operate from 6am to 10pm on Good Friday and Saturday. However, all Tesco Extra and Superstore locations will be closed on Easter Sunday. Tesco Express stores may remain open on Sunday, but customers should check local timings. On Easter Monday, larger stores will be open from 8am to 6pm.
Asda: Most Asda stores will welcome customers on Good Friday and Saturday from 7am to 10pm. On Easter Sunday, all large Asda stores will be closed, with the exception of some Scottish locations. On Easter Monday, shoppers can visit Asda from 8am to 10pm.
Sainsbury's: Sainsbury's has confirmed that its larger supermarkets will operate from 7am to 10pm on both Good Friday and Easter Saturday. All major stores in England and Wales will be closed on Easter Sunday, while some smaller Sainsbury's Local stores will remain open from 7am to 9pm. On Easter Monday, most larger stores will open from 8am to 8pm.
Morrisons: Most Morrisons locations will open on Good Friday from 7am to 10pm and will maintain normal hours on Easter Saturday. However, all stores will be closed on Easter Sunday, except for those in Scotland. On Easter Monday, Morrisons will open from 7am to 8pm.
Waitrose: On Good Friday, most Waitrose stores will be open from 8am to 8pm, and they will continue with normal hours on Saturday. However, Easter Sunday will see closures, except for some Little Waitrose shops. On Easter Monday, the majority of Waitrose stores will be open from 8am to 6pm.
Marks & Spencer (M&S): M&S will operate under regular hours on Good Friday, April 18, and Easter Monday, April 21, with most stores open from 8am to 8pm. However, a majority of M&S locations will be closed on Easter Sunday, with a few exceptions allowing some stores to open from 9am to 6pm.
As shoppers prepare for the long weekend, it’s essential to plan ahead. With many families looking to buy last-minute essentials for their Easter feasts, knowing when supermarkets will be open can save time and prevent frustration. Customers are encouraged to check the specific opening hours of their local stores online to ensure they have the most accurate information.
In summary, here are the key opening hours for major supermarkets over the Easter weekend:
- Aldi: Good Friday 8am-10pm, Easter Saturday 8am-10pm, Easter Sunday Closed, Easter Monday 8am-8pm.
- Lidl: Good Friday 8am-10pm, Easter Saturday 8am-10pm, Easter Sunday Closed, Easter Monday 9am-9pm.
- Tesco: Good Friday 6am-10pm, Easter Saturday 6am-10pm, Easter Sunday Closed, Easter Monday 8am-6pm.
- Asda: Good Friday 7am-10pm, Easter Saturday 7am-10pm, Easter Sunday Closed, Easter Monday 8am-10pm.
- Sainsbury's: Good Friday 7am-10pm, Easter Saturday 7am-10pm, Easter Sunday Closed, Easter Monday 8am-8pm.
- Morrisons: Good Friday 7am-10pm, Easter Saturday 7am-10pm, Easter Sunday Closed, Easter Monday 7am-8pm.
- Waitrose: Good Friday 8am-8pm, Easter Saturday 8am-8pm, Easter Sunday Closed, Easter Monday 8am-6pm.
- M&S: Good Friday 8am-8pm, Easter Saturday 8am-8pm, Easter Sunday Closed, Easter Monday 8am-8pm.
With these hours in mind, shoppers can better prepare for their Easter celebrations and ensure they have everything they need for the holiday weekend.
