As Easter approaches, supermarkets across the UK are gearing up for one of the busiest shopping weekends of the year. With hot cross buns flying off the shelves and families preparing festive meals, consumers are keen to know what to expect from their local stores. This year, Easter Sunday falls on April 20, 2025, and many grocery retailers will adjust their hours in observance of the holiday.
In anticipation of the holiday, a comparison of hot cross buns from various supermarkets reveals significant differences in taste and quality. The contenders include Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda, Aldi, and Morrisons, all of which offer their own unique take on this traditional Easter treat.
Starting with Tesco, their hot cross buns are priced at £1.05 for a pack of six, which breaks down to £0.18 each. Each bun contains 175 calories. Reviewers noted that while Tesco's buns were nearly the favorite, they were slightly let down by a strong peel aftertaste. "It had a healthy quantity of fruit to bun ratio," one consumer remarked, praising the overall density of the bun.
Next up is Sainsbury's, also priced at £1.05 per pack. These buns contain 181 calories each and were declared the winner in the taste test. "At first glance, Sainsbury's offering looks larger than its alternatives," a reviewer noted, praising the larger, tastier fruit and the subtle hint of peel that didn’t detract from the experience. "It goes crisp nicely with a subtle hint of peel, rather than it being a disappointing after-taste," they added.
Asda's hot cross buns come in slightly pricier at £1.06 for six, containing 190 calories each. While the higher fruit content was appreciated, the buns were criticized for becoming overly crispy when toasted. "You could just try to toast it slightly less than normal, but not everyone has the time to get a stopwatch out and do that," a shopper commented, highlighting the inconvenience.
Aldi's offering, priced at £1.05 and containing 175 calories, was described as dense and somewhat lacking in flavor. "It tasted cheap, despite it being the same price as its alternatives," one consumer noted. However, they mentioned that the buns improved slightly with each bite, though they weren't necessarily recommending them as a top choice.
Finally, Morrisons' hot cross buns are the most expensive at £1.00 for a pack of four, equating to £0.25 each, and contain 174 calories. Reviewers found them to be a bit dry, needing a generous amount of butter to enhance the flavor. "There was also a disappointing amount of fruit in them too," one shopper lamented.
As the weekend approaches, shoppers are also curious about grocery store hours on Easter Sunday. Notably, many retailers will be closed for the holiday. Aldi, for instance, will close its doors on Easter Sunday, allowing staff to spend time with their families. According to Aldi's communications director, Rebecca Heley, "For many of us, Easter is a time for getting together with loved ones and sharing great food."
For those needing to shop on Easter Sunday, Walmart and most Kroger stores will remain open during regular hours. Costco and Sam's Club, however, will be closed, as will Publix. Whole Foods will operate on reduced hours, closing at 6 p.m., while Trader Joe's and Lidl will be open as usual. Food Lion and Meijer will also maintain normal hours, with Meijer opening from 6 a.m. to midnight.
Interestingly, research from Aldi indicates a shift in traditional Easter meal preferences among Britons. While 23% now prefer chicken, only 18% still opt for the classic roast lamb. Additionally, some consumers are planning BBQs (13%) or relaxed Easter brunches (16%) instead of the traditional meal.
As families prepare for the holiday, the combination of shopping for hot cross buns and planning Easter meals highlights the importance of convenience and quality in grocery shopping. With varied options available, consumers are encouraged to explore their local supermarkets to find the best deals and flavors this Easter weekend.
In summary, whether it's indulging in hot cross buns or preparing for family gatherings, Easter 2025 promises to be a festive occasion filled with delicious food and cherished moments. Shoppers are reminded to check store hours and plan accordingly to ensure they have everything they need for the holiday.
