A handful of supermarkets and food stores have revealed they won’t be opening on Boxing Day this year, to allow staff to spend more time with loved ones.
Following the UK’s agreement to temporarily relax restrictions over the Christmas period, M&S decided to close its operations on Boxing Day, having previously planned to open over 200 stores that day.
Steve Rowe, CEO at M&S, said: “We have taken the decision to close our operations on Boxing Day, so that our colleagues can enjoy more special time with their loved ones. This is a big decision, but it is absolutely the right one given the incredible effort everyone has made in the most challenging of circumstances.”
Asda, Waitrose and Aldi will also be closed on Boxing Day, while Sainsbury’s and some Lidl stores in London will remain open. Here are the details.
Waitrose
The majority of Waitrose & Partners shops will be open for extended hours in the days leading up to Christmas Eve. Most supermarkets will be open until 11pm and some convenience shops open until 12am.
Christmas Eve: majority of shops will be open from 7am-6pm.
Christmas Day: most shops closed (with the exception of Welcome Break motorway service stations and Shell forecourts).
Boxing Day: most shops closed (with the exception of Welcome Break motorway service stations and Shell forecourts).
Shop opening hours do vary and customers are advised to check times of individual shops by using the branch finder page on the Waitrose website.
Asda
Christmas Eve: opening times will vary between stores (check the store locator to see when your local Asda opens). All shops will close at 7pm.
Christmas Day: closed.
Boxing Day: closed.
Sainsbury’s
The supermarket is extending its Christmas opening hours to allow customers to shop safely and says the vast majority of supermarkets will be open from 6am until midnight from December 21-23.
Christmas Eve: most supermarkets will be open from 6am-7pm.
Christmas Day: closed.
Boxing Day: stores will be open from 10am-5pm.
Opening hours can vary, so customers are advised to check the store locator for the latest details for their area.
Aldi
In the run-up to Christmas Eve, Aldi has extended its opening hours from 7am-11pm, Monday to Friday.
Christmas Eve: stores will be open from 7am-6pm.
Christmas Day: closed.
Boxing Day: closed.
Lidl
Christmas Eve: stores inside the M25 will be open from 7am-7pm, while stores outside of the M25 (including in Wales and Scotland) will be open 7am-6pm.
Christmas Day: closed.
Boxing Day: stores inside the M25 are open from 10am-7pm however outside of the M25 (including Wales) they’re closed. In Scotland, stores are open from 11am-5pm.
M&S
Christmas Eve: Check the opening hours of your local store here. All stores will shut by 7pm.
Christmas Day: closed.
Boxing Day: closed.
Morrisons, Tesco and Co-op
The retailers haven’t provided details of their Christmas opening times yet. HuffPost UK will update the article when they do.