The first Bank Holiday of 2025 falls on Wednesday, January 1, as it does annually. It comes just days after the elusive “Twixmas” period, which many would agree goes by in a blur.
January 1, New Year’s Day, is an important date for many retail workers. Some are expected to arrive at work bright and early, while others enjoy an extra day off.
For the high street giants that will be opening, some homeware stores will welcome customers later than normal this Wednesday.
Discount retailer B&M is among those that will unlock its doors after being closed over Christmas. Meanwhile, Poundland remains shut to the public.
Express.co.uk has rounded up the latest New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day opening times for the nation’s favourite retailers – whether you’re in the market for some post-Christmas retail therapy or need to do a big food shop.
Poundland
In October, Poundland confirmed that it would keep its stores closed on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day as a thank you for its colleagues’ hard work over the last 12 months. Normal opening hours will resume on Thursday, January 2.
Next
Next has more than 450 stores across the UK and is known for selling everything from clothing to homeware. Anyone hoping to visit a store today, New Year’s Eve, should know that most sites will open at reduced hours, from 9am to 5pm. All stores will remain closed on January 1.
John Lewis
Normal trading hours resumed for John Lewis sites across the UK on December 27, but this will change from today, New Year’s Eve. Shops will open between 9am and 6pm today, though all John Lewis stores, including those in major shopping centres like Liverpool One, will be closed on January 1.
John Lewis advises shoppers to use the store locator tool on its website to check the opening hours for individual stores. In Scotland, John Lewis’ opening times differ depending on the location. Edinburgh will be open from 9.30am to 6pm, with Glasgow open from 9am to 5pm
Home Bargains
Discount retailer Home Bargains will be open on New Year’s Eve, although stores will operate at reduced hours. The majority will be open from 9am to 6pm. On January 1, all Home Bargains stores will remain shut, with business as usual to resume on Thursday, January 2.
Primark
Fast-fashion retailer Primark has also reduced its opening hours. On New Year’s Eve, stores will be open from 9am to 5pm or 6.30pm in some locations. Primark will welcome customers to some stores with adjusted opening hours on New Year’s Day. Hours include 10.30 to 4.30pm or 11am to 5pm.
Use the retailer’s store locator tool to check opening hours near you.
B&M
Popular budget retailer B&M has also switched up its operating hours. Stores across Scotland will be open from 8am to 6pm on December 31. B&M shoppers will find some stores open between 8am to 6pm on New Year’s Day, January 1.
Lidl
Lidl stores were closed over Christmas but re-opened on December 27. Hours have been adjusted to acknowledge the New Year Bank Holiday this week. Lidl stores will open as normal on Tuesday, December 31 (New Year’s Eve) but all UK stores will be closed on Wednesday, January 1 (New Year’s Day).
Tesco
Tesco store opening hours may differ across the country today and tomorrow, though most will observe the following hours:
- Tuesday, December 31 (New Year’s Eve) – 6am to 7pm
- Wednesday, January 1 (New Year’s Day) – 8am to 6pm supermarkets or 8am to 10pm (Express stores)
Sainsbury’s
The iconic orange supermarket will open today and tomorrow, though, with adjusted hours. Most Sainsbury’s stores will open at the following times:
- Tuesday, December 31 (New Year’s Eve) – 7am to 7pm
- Wednesday, January 1 (New Year’s Day) – 8am to 8pm (supermarkets) 8am to 9pm (convenience stores)
Asda
Asda opening times vary across its store portfolio, but most sites will open at the following times this week:
- Tuesday, December 31 (New Year’s Eve) – 7am to 7pm
- Wednesday, January 1 (New Year’s Day) – 9am to 6pm
Certain Asda stores are open 24 hours a day, so it’s advisable to check locally using a store finder tool.
Co-op
Co-op convenience stores remain open to serve their communities with Christmas food and drink, everyday essentials, top-ups, or forgotten items until 8pm on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
- December 31 (New Year’s Eve): Co-op convenience stores will open at their usual time until 8pm
- January 1 (New Year’s Day): Co-op convenience stores will open between 9am to 8pm
Waitrose
For Waitrose, the majority of shops will close at 5pm on Christmas Eve. A spokesperson said: “For New Year’s Day, some shops will be opening as normal for trading with reduced hours.”
Tuesday, December 31 (New Year’s Eve) – 8am to 7pm
Wednesday, January 1 (New Year’s Day) – Closed
Morrisons
Hours can vary from store to store, and in Scotland, so check before visiting.
Tuesday, December 31 (New Year’s Eve) – 7am to 7pm (6am opening in Scotland)
Wednesday, January 1 (New Year’s Day) – 9am to 6pm
Marks and Spencer
M&S Food stores will be closed on January 1, New Year’s Day but they are open to customers today (Tuesday, December 31). Marks and Spencer’s New Year opening times are as follows:
- Tuesday, December 31 (New Year’s Eve) – 8am to 7pm
- Wednesday, January 1 (New Year’s Day) – closed
Aldi
The discount supermarket will open at the following times this week:
- Tuesday, December 31 (New Year’s Eve) – 8am to 6pm
- Wednesday, January 1 (New Year’s Day) – closed
