As we bid farewell to December and welcome the dawn of a new year, it’s crucial to ensure you’re well-stocked for your celebrations, whether they involve a grand party or an early night.
With supermarkets predicted to be bustling in the coming days, it’s worth noting that due to New Year’s Day falling on a Wednesday and being a bank holiday, regular opening hours for stores such as Aldi, Tesco, Asda, Lidl and Morrisons will not apply.
While there’s no law preventing shops from closing on New Year’s Day, many will remain open due to its status as a bank holiday, reports the MEN.
However, some have chosen to reward their staff with an additional day off, keeping their doors closed, while others have decided to shut earlier than usual.
If you need to venture out to the supermarkets over the next few days, it’s advisable to check their opening and closing times. Here are the operating hours for various stores, including Aldi, Asda, Tesco, Marks and Spencer, Lidl, Iceland, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, and Waitrose.
Aldi
Aldi stores were closed over Christmas and Boxing Day and will also be closed on New Year’s Day to give staff an extra day off.
Opening times vary depending on the Aldi branch you visit, so it’s recommended to use the store locator before planning your shopping trip.
Monday, December 30 – 8am – 8pm
New Year’s Eve – 9am – 6pm
New Year’s Day – Closed
Thursday, January 2 – 8am – 8pm
Asda
Opening times are subject to the specific branch you plan to visit, so it’s advisable to use the store locator before planning your trip. Most stores will be operational on New Year’s Day, but will shut earlier on New Year’s Eve.
December 31 (New Year’s Eve) – 7am to 7pm
January 1 (New Year’s Day) – 9am to 6pm
Tesco
Tesco’s opening hours over the new year will differ based on the type of store and its location. Most larger stores will be open from 9am to 6pm on New Year’s Day and close early on New Year’s Eve.
To verify the opening hours of your local Tesco store, use the store finder.
Here are the opening times for most stores:
December 31 (New Year’s Eve) – 6am to 7pm
January 1 (New Year’s Day) – 9am to 6pm
M&S
M&S Food will be closed on New Year’s Day. Opening times will vary, so check the opening times of your local M&S store.
Here are the opening hours for the majority of stores:
December 31 (New Year’s Eve) – 8am to 7pm
January 1 (New Year’s Day) – Closed
Normal business hours resume on Thursday, January 2.
Lidl
Lidl stores will be closed on New Year’s Day except for those within the M25. They will also shut earlier on New Year’s Eve. Hours will vary so customers are advised to check their local store’s opening hours on the online store finder.
According to Lidl, the quietest times to shop instore are between 8am and 10am, or 6pm onwards.
Lidl’s opening times:
England
December 31 (New Year’s Eve) – Inside M25 – 8am – 7pm. Outside M25 – 8am – 6pm
January 1 (New Year’s Day) – Inside M25 – 10am – 6pm. Outside M25 – Closed
January 2 – Open as normal
Wales
December 31 (New Year’s Eve) – 8am – 6pm
January 1 (New Year’s Day) – Closed
January 2 – Open as normal
Scotland
December 31 (New Year’s Eve) – 8am – 6pm
January 1 (New Year’s Day) – Closed
January 2 – Open as normal
Morrisons
Morrisons will be opening at 7am on New Year’s Eve and will close its doors early at 7pm. Shoppers in Scotland will be able to visit their local stores from 6am. On New Year’s Day, Scots will be able to visit their local stores between 8.30am and 6.30pm.
New Year’s Eve – 7am – 7pm
New Year’s Day – 9am – 6pm
Sainsbury’s
Sainsbury’s will also be open on New Year’s Day and close earlier than normal on New Year’s Eve.
Opening hours for individual stores may vary.
December 31 (New Year’s Eve) – 7am to 7pm
January 1 (New Year’s Day) – 8am to 8pm
Iceland
Iceland shoppers will need to check their local stores times but most branches will have reduced hours on both New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
Waitrose
Waitrose opening hours will vary depending on the store, so customers should check their local store.
On New Year’s Eve, Tuesday, December 31, stores will operate from 8am to 7pm.
Most Waitrose shops will be closed on New Year’s Day, with a small number remaining open, with some open for Deliveroo and Uber Eats orders.
