With Christmas just around the corner, UK supermarkets are prepared to adjust their opening hours to accommodate holiday shopping. Whether you're gathering ingredients for Christmas dinner or last-minute gifts, it's important to know when your local grocery store will be open.
Major retailers, including Aldi, Tesco, Sainsbury's, and others, have announced their hours for the festive period, ensuring shoppers can plan their visits accordingly. Aldi has confirmed it will close its stores on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year's Day, giving employees time off to spend with family.
Beginning with Aldi, shoppers can expect the following hours:
- Monday, December 23: 7am to 10pm
- Tuesday, December 24 (Christmas Eve): 7am to 6pm
- Wednesday, December 25 (Christmas Day): CLOSED
- Thursday, December 26 (Boxing Day): CLOSED
- Friday, December 27: 8am to 8pm
- Saturday, December 28: 8am to 8pm
- Sunday, December 29: 9.30am to 4pm
- Monday, December 30: 8am to 8pm
- Tuesday, December 31 (New Year's Eve): 8am to 6pm
- Wednesday, January 1 (New Year's Day): CLOSED
- Normal hours resume on Thursday, January 2.
Aldi's Communications Director Richard Thornton noted, “Christmas is such a special period for many of our colleagues, and by keeping our stores closed on Boxing Day, Aldi gives them more time to spend with their loved ones.” This emphasis on staff well-being is echoed across the industry.
Similarly, Tesco also has varied hours during this holiday season:
- Monday, December 23: 6am to 11pm
- Tuesday, December 24 (Christmas Eve): 6am to 7pm
- Wednesday, December 25 (Christmas Day): CLOSED
- Thursday, December 26 (Boxing Day): 9am to 6pm
- Saturday, December 28: 6am to 11pm
- New Year's Eve: Extended hours from 5am to 7pm.
- New Year's Day: Superstores open from 8am to 6pm.
Meanwhile, Sainsbury's has similar closures and hours. Non-essential stores will close for Christmas Day:
- Monday, December 23: 6am to 11pm
- Tuesday, December 24 (Christmas Eve): 6am to 7pm
- Wednesday, December 25 (Christmas Day): CLOSED
- Thursday, December 26 (Boxing Day): 9am to 6pm
- New Year's Day: 8am to 8pm with convenience stores opening earlier.
Shoppers heading to Morrisons can expect slightly different hours:
- Monday, December 23: 6am to 12am
- Tuesday, December 24 (Christmas Eve): 6am to 6pm
- Wednesday, December 25 (Christmas Day): CLOSED
- Thursday, December 26 (Boxing Day): 9am to 6pm
- Friday, December 27: Normal hours resume.
Lidl stores will also close their doors on several key dates. Most outlets will be open on Boxing Day, but shoppers are advised to check local listings as hours may vary by location:
- Tuesday, December 24 (Christmas Eve): 7am to 6pm
- Wednesday, December 25 (Christmas Day): CLOSED
- Thursday, December 26 (Boxing Day): CLOSED at some locations.
- New Year's Day: CLOSED.
Important to note, Iceland has announced its stores will be closed on both Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
For the city of Southampton, shoppers can expect not only varied regards to their county supermarkets there but guidance for specific locations as well. Major chains including Aldi, Tesco, Sainsbury's, and Lidl will reflect their national standards, but beyond being open on Boxing Day, others like Iceland will remain closed.
Overall, retailers hope these measures allow staff to enjoy the holidays with family. So, it’s becoming increasingly important for holiday shoppers to plan and verify store hours before heading out. The festive period is busy enough without the added stress of missed shopping time.
For precise opening and closing times, shoppers are encouraged to consult the individual supermarket’s store locator.
With many shoppers set to network to handle family gatherings, early planning will go far. By having specific store operating hours, the hope is to facilitate easy access to last-minute essentials and holiday festivities.
No matter what your plans include, knowing when stores are open can help avoid disappointment during the jolly season!
