The Easter weekend that many people have been counting down to is here, giving lots an extra long weekend. The four-day weekend provides an opportunity to relax, tick off some household chores, and enjoy time with friends and family. However, the Bank Holiday weekend will also see shops, stores, and supermarkets operating under different opening hours than usual, with many opening and closing earlier on the two bank holiday days.
Shoppers out on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025, are likely to encounter numerous store closures due to specific laws in place that limit certain retailers from operating on this day. These regulations mirror the trading restrictions observed on Christmas Day. In England and Wales, large shops over 280 square meters must close by law on Easter Sunday, although exemptions apply to specific stores, including those in airports and railway stations. On the other hand, small shops that are up to 280 square meters can trade on any day and at any hour, and there are no restrictions on when shops in Scotland can operate.
This means that large retailers such as Aldi, Asda, Tesco, M&S, Lidl, Morrisons, Waitrose, and Sainsbury’s will close their doors on Easter Sunday, while their express and convenience stores will remain open. Supermarkets may also operate on reduced hours on other days of the weekend, so it is advisable to check local supermarket opening hours to avoid being caught out.
Other stores that will close on Easter Sunday include IKEA, Wickes, Screwfix, B&Q, and Primark, as well as B&M and Home Bargains. In Manchester, the Trafford Centre and Arndale Centre will also be closed on Easter Sunday, although some restaurants within the Trafford Centre will be open. Normal trading hours are expected to fully resume for all stores on Tuesday, April 22, 2025.
If you’re planning a shopping trip on Easter Sunday in the North East, you’ll need to be selective, as many major stores will be closed due to UK trading laws. However, there are still some options if you need to grab a top-up shop, a quick bite, or a home DIY fix. Most Co-op stores in the North East will be open but with reduced hours, making them a good choice for essentials like milk and bread. Additionally, Screwfix will be open from 9 AM to 4 PM across the UK, including the North East, which is perfect for DIYers tackling projects over the Easter weekend.
Most Greggs stores will operate bank holiday hours, with some branches, especially those in petrol stations and transport hubs, remaining open. While larger Primark stores like those in Newcastle and Middlesbrough are likely to be closed, some smaller city centre branches might open on reduced hours on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, rather than on Easter Sunday itself.
Larger Waitrose stores will be closed, but some Little Waitrose shops in service stations may remain open on Easter Sunday. In the North East, major retailers that are confirmed to be closed include Sainsbury’s, Tesco Extra and Superstores (with Tesco Express possibly open), Aldi, Asda Superstores, Morrisons, Iceland (in England), Marks & Spencer, Home Bargains, Superdrug (with some branches potentially open), and John Lewis (closed nationwide except for Edinburgh and Glasgow).
For those in the North East, corner shops and petrol stations are your best bet for essentials on Easter Sunday. It's also worth noting that Scotland has fewer trading restrictions, so if you're near the border, you may find more shops open.
As Easter has arrived, many restaurants, retailers, and businesses are closed on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025, to allow employees to attend church services and spend time with loved ones. However, some giant retailers like Walmart, Trader Joe's, and Wegmans will be open on Easter Sunday, along with several others. It's important to keep in mind that even though these retailers are open, some stores may have adjusted hours in observance of the holiday, while others might only have select locations open or closed.
Among the stores confirmed to be open on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025, are Ace Hardware, American Eagle, Apple, Athleta, Banana Republic, Barnes & Noble, Big Lots, BJ’s Wholesale Club (operating from 8 AM to 6 PM), Dollar General, Dollar Tree, Gap, The Home Depot (from 8 AM to 6 PM), IKEA (from 10 AM to 6 PM), Menards (from 9 AM to 6 PM), Old Navy, Petco, PetSmart (from 11 AM to 6 PM), REI (from 12 PM to 6 PM), Sephora, Staples (with select stores open from noon to 5 PM), Tractor Supply Company (from 9 AM to 6 PM), True Value, Ulta (from 12 PM to 5 PM), Verizon (with some locations open), and Walmart.
For those in need of pharmacy services, many CVS Pharmacy locations will be open during regular hours on Easter Sunday, with some possibly having reduced hours. Walgreens will operate their normal Sunday hours for both stores and pharmacies, while Rite Aid stores will be open, but pharmacies will be closed on Easter Sunday.
On the flip side, many popular retailers will be closed on Easter Sunday, including Aldi, Belk, Best Buy, Big Y, Central Market, Costco, Dick's Sporting Goods, H-E-B, JCPenney, HomeGoods, Homesense, Kohl’s, Lowe’s, Macy’s, Marshalls, Michaels, Nordstrom, Nordstrom Rack, Publix, Sam’s Club, Sierra, Target, and TJ Maxx.
As shoppers navigate the complexities of Easter Sunday shopping, it’s essential to check ahead for store hours and availability to ensure a successful outing. With the holiday falling later than usual this year, the observance remains one of the biggest on the Christian calendar, prompting many businesses to close and allowing families to gather and celebrate.
