As the UK enters the 2026 Easter Bank Holiday weekend, shoppers across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland are facing a complex web of varying operational hours. Due to the Sunday Trading Act 1994, large retailers in England and Wales are legally mandated to close on Easter Sunday (April 5, 2026), while Scotland maintains near-normal trading. For consumers planning festive lunches or last-minute egg hunts, understanding the specific windows for each major chain is essential to avoid travel disruption.
This year, many retailers have adjusted their Good Friday and Easter Monday hours to manage increased footfall and staff rotations, making a detailed branch-by-branch review more important than ever, reports The WP Times.
Tesco: Extensive Network with Variable Express Hours
Tesco operates the largest fleet of stores in the UK, and for Easter 2026, the strategy remains split between massive Superstores and smaller convenience hubs. While large-format stores shut down for 24 hours on Sunday in England and Wales, the "Express" network will remain the primary lifeline for essentials.
- Good Friday (April 3): Most Superstores open 6am–10pm; Express stores open normal hours.
- Easter Saturday (April 4): Normal trading hours across all formats (usually until 10pm or midnight).
- Easter Sunday (April 5): CLOSED (England, Wales, NI); Scotland remains open as normal.
- Tesco Express (Sunday): Most stay open 6am–11pm even in England and Wales.
- Easter Monday (April 6): Large stores operate reduced hours, typically 8am–6pm; Express stores normal.
Aldi and Lidl: High-Efficiency Discounter Schedules
The discounters have standardized their 2026 schedules to ensure maximum efficiency during the bank holiday. Unlike the "Big Four," Aldi and Lidl do not typically operate smaller convenience stores, meaning their entire English and Welsh estate will be inaccessible on Easter Sunday.
- Aldi Good Friday: Open 8am–10pm.
- Aldi Easter Saturday: Open 8am–10pm.
- Aldi Easter Monday: Reduced hours from 8am–8pm.
- Lidl (England/Wales): Open as normal on Friday/Saturday; CLOSED Sunday; Monday hours vary by region (check app).
- Lidl (Scotland): Remains open 9am–10pm on Good Friday and normal hours on Sunday.
Sainsbury’s: Convenience Stores as the Sunday Lifeline
Sainsbury’s has confirmed that while their "Sainsbury’s Local" branches will maintain high availability, their larger supermarkets will follow the mandatory closure protocols. For 2026, they have notably extended their Good Friday hours in several metropolitan areas to accommodate late-night shoppers.
- Good Friday: Supermarkets open 7am–10pm; Local stores open until 11pm.
- Easter Saturday: Normal trading hours (7am–10pm for most large sites).
- Easter Sunday: CLOSED (England/Wales); Scotland remains open.
- Sainsbury’s Local (Sunday): Majority remain open 7am–11pm.
- Easter Monday: Large stores open with restricted hours, generally 8am–8pm.
Asda and Morrisons: Regional Variations and Early Closures
Asda and Morrisons are focusing on "Market Street" fresh produce for 2026, but shoppers should be aware of earlier closing times on Easter Monday compared to their usual late-night schedules. Asda's 24-hour stores will suspend their around-the-clock service during the peak of the holiday weekend.
- Asda Good Friday/Saturday: Trading from 7am–10pm.
- Asda Easter Sunday: CLOSED in England and Wales; Scottish stores open as normal.
- Asda Easter Monday: Open from 8am–10pm.
- Morrisons Good Friday: Majority open 7am–10pm.
- Morrisons Easter Monday: Reduced hours of 7am–8pm in England and Wales.
Waitrose and M&S Foodhall: Premium Retail Availability
For those seeking high-end Easter hampers or specialized meal deals, Waitrose and M&S have released 2026 schedules that favor early-morning shopping. Many "Little Waitrose" sites at Shell petrol stations will provide the only access to their products on Easter Sunday.
- Waitrose Good Friday: Reduced hours, generally 8am–8pm.
- Waitrose Easter Sunday: CLOSED (Large stores); "Little Waitrose" sites vary.
- Waitrose Easter Monday: Reduced trading from 8am–8pm.
- M&S Foodhall: Most stores open 8am–8pm on Good Friday and Easter Monday.
- M&S Sunday: CLOSED (Large stores); select station/hospital sites remain open.
Co-op and Iceland: Convenience and Frozen Specialists
The Co-op remains one of the most reliable retailers for Easter Sunday, as the majority of their estate falls under the convenience size threshold, exempting them from the mandatory closure. Iceland, meanwhile, will focus on early-week stock-ups for frozen essentials.
- Co-op: Most stores open normal hours (often 7am–11pm) throughout the entire weekend, including Sunday.
- Iceland Good Friday/Saturday: Trading from 9am–5:30pm (varies by shopping centre).
- Iceland Easter Sunday: CLOSED (except for Scotland).
- Iceland Easter Monday: Reduced hours, typically 9am–5pm.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Are all UK supermarkets closed on Easter Sunday 2026? No. Large stores in England and Wales must close, but convenience stores (Tesco Express, Sainsbury's Local, Co-op) and almost all supermarkets in Scotland remain open.
What time does Tesco close on Easter Monday? Most large Tesco Superstores will close early at 6pm on Easter Monday, while Express stores stay open until 11pm.
Can I get a grocery delivery on Easter Sunday? Generally, no. Most major supermarkets do not offer home delivery on Easter Sunday in England and Wales due to store closures.
Is Marks & Spencer open on Good Friday? Yes, most M&S Foodhalls will be operating on reduced hours, typically 8am to 8pm.
Does Aldi open on Easter Monday? Yes, Aldi will reopen on Easter Monday from 8am to 8pm.
Are supermarket petrol stations open on Easter Sunday? Yes, most automated "Pay at Pump" services remain available 24/7 even if the main store is closed.
Read about the life of Westminster and Pimlico district, London and the world. 24/7 news with fresh and useful updates on culture, business, technology and city life: Supermarket Price War 2026: Aldi Easter Sunday Veg Deals vs Morrisons, Lidl, Tesco & Sainsbury’s
