There are many things to appreciate about Easter – chocolate eggs, extended weekends, and enjoyable time with the family.
But what if you forget to stock up for the four-day weekend?
Or your late-night snacking habits leave your cupboards empty on the big day?
Easter could be a disaster if you find yourself with no chocolate eggs to hide around the house, or with no sausage and eggs for a relaxing Easter Monday brunch.
Knowing where to rush for last-minute supplies is all you need to save the day.
But while you’re relaxing and indulging in chocolate, many of the people who work at your favorite shops will be doing the same.
Are supermarkets and shops open on Easter Sunday?
The majority of supermarkets in England, Wales and Northern Ireland will be closed on Easter Sunday.
Any shop larger than 280 square meters must be closed on Easter Sunday according to government regulations on retail trading hours in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Scotland is the exception, with many stores staying open and operating on Sunday trading hours.
Other exceptions include registered pharmacies that sell only medicinal products, shops and metro supermarkets at service stations, and farm shops that mainly sell their own produce.
Easter Sunday supermarket opening hours
- Aldi – all stores are closed.
- Asda – all stores are closed.
- Co-op – stores open as usual, mostly between 7am to 10pm. Hours may vary between stores. You can check your local one here.
- Iceland – all stores closed in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Stores are open in Scotland.
- Morrisons – all stores closed.
- Lidl – all stores closed.
- Sainsbury’s – all big stores closed except in Scotland where they open in line with Sunday trading hours. Many Sainsbury’s Locals are open as usual from 7am to 10pm.
- Tesco – all large stores closed. Express stores are open as usual.
- Waitrose – most stores are closed, with a few exceptions, which you can view online. Shell and Welcome Break stores are open as usual.
Are supermarkets and shops open on Easter Monday?
Because Easter Monday is a regular Bank Holiday, there are no laws requiring stores stay closed.
Many supermarkets and shops will be open on Monday, but they might be operating under different hours to give employees an earlier finish or later start.
Easter Monday supermarket opening hours
- Aldi – stores are open from 8am to 8pm. You can check individual store opening hours online.
- Asda – stores are open between 6am to 10pm. You can check your local store’s opening hours online.
- Co-op – stores open as usual, mostly between 7am to 10pm. Hours may vary between stores. You can check your local one using the online branch locator.
- Iceland – stores open as usual, from as early as 7am to as late as 9pm, with the exception of shopping centre locations. Check your local store online store locator.
- Morrisons – stores operate for fewer hours from 7am to 8pm.
- Lidl – stores are open for reduced hours from 8am to 8pm. Hours may differ between stores, which you can verify using the online store finder. Sainsbury’s – stores open as usual from 8am to 8pm for large supermarkets, and 7am to 10pm for convenience shops..
- Tesco – some large stores open from 8am to 8pm. Express stores open as usual.
- Waitrose – stores are open from 8am-8pm, with some Little Waitrose shops opening from 6am to midnight.
- Find out where to purchase your last-minute Easter eggs so you’re not caught unprepared over the long weekend.
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