With New Year’s Day fast approaching, many across the UK are gearing up to stock up on essentials after the holiday festivities. Supermarkets including Tesco, Sainsbury's, Aldi, and others have revealed their opening hours for January 1, 2025, which will differ from the norm.
Tesco will maintain its New Year’s Day hours but with reduced time for shoppers. Most superstores will open from 8 am to 6 pm, and Express stores will extend their hours from 8 am to 10 pm on January 1. Due to varying local conditions, customers are encouraged to verify the hours of their nearest store using Tesco’s store locator.
Similarly, Sainsbury's will operate on adjusted hours. Sainsbury’s supermarkets will be open from 8 am to 8 pm on New Year’s Day, with convenience stores following suit from 8 am to 9 pm. Normal hours are expected to return on January 2, meaning customers can shop at their convenience following the holiday.
Meanwhile, Morrisons is opening its stores from 9 am to 6 pm. This timing ensures customers can still access essentials post-New Year's celebrations. Shoppers should note, though, some branches may operate slightly different hours, and checking local listings is recommended.
On the other hand, major chains like Aldi and Lidl have opted to close all their stores on New Year’s Day, effectively giving their staff some much-deserved time off. Aldi's closure means customers will have to wait until January 2 for their normal shopping hours, which typically run from 8 am to 10 pm.
Marks & Spencer's food stores are also expected to be closed on January 1, so shoppers will need to plan accordingly. Waitrose will see most of its locations closed, with only selected branches providing limited services for delivery through Uber Eats or Deliveroo.
The reason for these varied hours mainly stems from New Year’s Day being recognized as a bank holiday, which impacts staffing and operations. Larger supermarkets are permitted to extend their hours compared to other traditional holidays, granting some flexibility for early risers and those requiring late-night groceries.
Planning shopping trips can sometimes lead to surprises, especially around holidays. To ease any potential confusion, it’s smart to check online store listings or use supermarket apps for the most accurate information. For example, According to Metro, ”...you can check the opening times for your local stores here.”
It’s also worth noting the choices available can vary by location, particularly with convenience chains. Shoppers venturing out on New Year’s Day should be aware of these opening hours to avoid any wasted trips.
With New Year's festivities often leading to festive hangovers, many will be delighted to know they can replenish supplies for Sunday brunch or enjoy any special meals left over. Grocery chains typically see increased demand during this time, making availability across chains even more important.
So whether it’s last-minute party supplies or essentials to kickstart the New Year right, reviewing store hours will keep you on track. Remember to be mindful of possible variations, especially for local branches, to have the best shopping experience possible.
Here’s the rundown of the planned opening hours for major UK supermarkets on New Year’s Day 2025:
- Tesco: Superstores open from 8 am to 6 pm, Express stores from 8 am to 10 pm.
- Sainsbury’s: Larger stores from 8 am to 8 pm; convenience stores from 8 am to 9 pm.
- Morrisons: Open from 9 am to 6 pm.
- Aldi: Closed.
- Lidl: Closed.
- Marks and Spencer: Closed.
- Waitrose: Most stores closed; some service locations available for Deliveroo and Uber Eats.
Prepare for your New Year shopping wisely and enjoy the first day of 2025 without any hiccups!