Supermarket Easter opening times 2026

One minute you’re eyeing up hot cross buns, the next you’re halfway through cooking a roast and realise something vital is missing (usually gravy). 

Here’s when the UK’s biggest supermarkets are open this Easter. Always check smaller local supermarkets and petrol stations as hours may vary. 

Why are Easter hours shorter?

Shorter opening hours this weekend are due to Bank Holiday and Sunday trading laws in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Supermarkets are required to adhere to Sunday Trading hours on Easter Sunday, and offer Bank Holiday hours on Good Friday typically so staff can enjoy the holiday.  

Smaller convenience stores, petrol stations and local chains like Tesco Express or Sainsbury’s Local are exempt, which is why they usually stay open. 

Why are Convenience stores, Metros, and Locals exempt from Sunday trading? 

Sunday trading hours in England and Wales are set by the Sunday Trading Act 1994, which limits how long large shops can open. 

Large supermarkets (over 280 square metres) can only open for six hours between 10am and 6pm on Sundays. Whereas Smaller convenience stores can open whenever they choose. 

That’s why a big branch of Tesco or Asda may close in the afternoon, while smaller local stores stay open into the evening. 

The rule exists to balance shopping convenience with worker protections and to support smaller neighbourhood shops. 

Does Scotland have Sunday Trading Laws? 

In Scotland there are no legal limits on Sunday trading hours. That means many major supermarkets can open for longer, sometimes even with near-normal hours on Easter Sunday. However, individual stores can still choose to reduce their hours, so it’s always sensible to check locally before setting off.  

Scotland does have rules protecting retail workers - shop staff have the right to refuse to work on Sundays if they choose. As a result, some stores may still operate reduced hours depending on staffing levels, so it’s always sensible to check locally before setting off. 

Tesco 

Good Friday

• England, Wales and Isle of Man: 6am–10pm 

• Scotland and Northern Ireland: open as normal 

• Large Express stores: 6am–10pm 

• Standard Express stores: open as normal 

Easter Saturday

• Normal hours (often 6am or 7am to late) 

Easter Sunday

• England, Wales and Northern Ireland: closed 

• Isle of Man: 8am–10pm 

• Scotland: open as normal 

• Large Express stores: closed 

• Standard Express stores: open as normal 

Easter Monday

• England, Wales and Isle of Man: 8am–6pm 

• Northern Ireland: 8am–8pm 

• Scotland: open as normal 

• Large Express stores: 8am–6pm 

• Standard Express stores: open as normal 

Check local Tesco Express hours with the Tesco store locator. 

Sainsbury’s

Good Friday

• All supermarkets: 7am–11pm 

• Sainsbury’s Local: open as normal 

Easter Saturday

• All supermarkets: 7am–11pm 

• Sainsbury’s Local: open as normal 

Easter Sunday

• Closed (England and Wales) 

• Open as normal in Scotland 

• Sainsbury’s Local: open as normal 

Easter Monday

• All supermarkets: 8am–8pm 

• Sainsbury’s Local: open as normal 

Asda

Good Friday

• 7am–10pm 

Easter Saturday

• 7am–10pm 

Easter Sunday

• Closed 

Easter Monday

• 8am–10pm 

Some smaller Asda Express stores and petrol stations may open on Sunday and you can check your local Asda with the Asda store finder. 

Morrisons 

Good Friday

• Opening hours vary, but the vast majority will be open between 7am–10pm 

Easter Saturday

• Open as normal

Easter Sunday

• England and Wales: closed. Scotland: open as normal

Easter Monday

• England and Wales: 7am–8pm; Scotland: open as normal 

• Check your local Morrisons on the store locator. 

Aldi 

Good Friday

•  8am–9pm

Easter Saturday

• 8am–9pm 

Easter Sunday

• Closed 

Easter Monday

• 8am–8pm 

Lidl 

Good Friday

• England and Wales: open as normal; Scotland: 9am–10pm 

Easter Saturday

• Open as normal 

Easter Sunday

• England and Wales: closed. Scotland: open as normal 

Easter Monday

• Hours vary - check your local Lidl store online

M&S

M&S advises customers to check individual stores, but we can expect something similar to last year 

Good Friday

•  8am–8pm 

Easter Saturday

• No changes announced 

Easter Sunday

• Closed  

Easter Monday

• 8am–8pm 

But what about the ones in train stations?  

Some smaller M&S Simply Food stores will stay open to serve Easter travellers. Check individual stores on the M&S store locator if needed. 

Co-op

Good Friday

•  7am–10pm 

Easter Saturday

• 7am–10pm 

Easter Sunday

• Closed; convenience stores 7am–10pm 

Easter Monday

• 7am–10pm 

Waitrose

Good Friday

• Open with reduced hours (last year this was 8am–8pm) 

Easter Saturday

• Large stores closed, some smaller shops open with Sunday hours 

Easter Sunday

• Closed, with a select number of Little Waitrose stores open 

Easter Monday

• Open with reduced hours (last year this was 8am–8pm) 

Iceland

Good Friday

• Open as normal, except shopping centre stores 

Easter Saturday

• Open as normal 

Easter Sunday

• Closed in England, open as normal in Scotland 

Easter Monday

• Open as normal, except shopping centre stores 

Easter Sunday: What’s open?

If you leave it late, most large supermarkets in England and Wales will be closed, including: 

• Tesco (large stores) 

• Sainsbury’s supermarkets 

• Asda 

• Morrisons 

• Aldi 

• Lidl 

• M&S 

• Waitrose 

Stores that remain open:

• Tesco Express (smaller stores) 

• Sainsbury’s Local 

• Co-op convenience stores 

• Some petrol station shops 

• Most supermarket chains in Scotland 

Always check online for your local store’s exact hours.