NEW YEAR is another busy time for UK supermarkets, as shoppers stock up for their celebrations.
However, many stores will have reduced hours on New Year’s Day, just like they did on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. So when will your favourite supermarket be open?
Aldi
Aldi is one of the cheapest supermarkets in the country, having won Which?’s Cheapest Supermarket of the Year for three years in a row.
The budget-friendly chain will open each day in the lead-up to the New Year, before once again closing on January 1, having shuttered its doors for Christmas.
Aldi will close on New Year’s Eve at 6pm.
The popular budget supermarket will then re-open on January 2, so that their workers can spend time with their families.
M&S
According to YouGov’s 2024 poll, M&S is the nation’s second favourite supermarket after Aldi.
The luxury brand is beloved for its food halls and wide range of options, including its vegan friendly Plant Kitchen range.
The high-street favourite will give its workers some time off on New Year’s Day, when it will shut once again.
Some stores will be open until 7pm on both December 31 and January 1, hence shoppers are advised to check their local branch beforehand.
Tesco
Tesco has cornered the market when it comes to lunch, thanks to the runaway success of its £3.50 meal deals.
The supermarket will operate under reduced hours on January 1, 2025.
On December 31, Tesco Extras and superstores will be open from 5am to 7pm, and local stores will open from 6am to 10pm.
On January 1, superstores will open a bit later, from 8pm to 6pm, while Express stores will run from 8am to 10pm.
Sainsbury’s
Sainsbury’s will remain open on New Year’s Day.
The chain’s 2,300 nationwide stores are expected to resume normal trading hours on January 2.
On December 31, most stores will be open from 10am to 7pm, with local stores running longer hours, from 6am to 9pm.
On January 1, stores will open from 8am to 8pm, and convenience stores will stay open a little later, from 8am to 9pm.
As with Tesco, local stores may vary their opening times so ask in your local branch about their festive hours.
Morrisons
Morrisons is the fourth biggest supermarket chain in the UK and is loved for its low prices.
The supermarket also serves 9 million customers every week and is even busier during December.
To keep up with demand, the supermarket will have reduced operating hours for December 31 and January 1.
On New Year’s Eve, some stores will open as early as 6am or 7am and close by 7pm.
On January 1, all stores will be open from 9am to 6pm.
Ask for more details in your local branch.
Asda
Asda stores will be open around the country on both New Years Eve and New Years Day.
On New Year’s Eve, stores will remain open from 7am to 7pm.
However, they will close early on New Year’s Day, at 6pm.
Shoppers are advised to use the store locator tool on Asda’s website to check their local shop’s opening hours.
Co-op
Most Co-op stores will stay open through the New Year, as they usually do on bank holidays—though Christmas Day is the one big exception when they close their doors.
That said, on bank holidays, opening hours can vary, with some stores opening later or closing earlier than usual.
It’s always a good idea to check the hours for your local store to be sure.
Waitrose
Ahead of the busy festive period, Waitrose made a statement about their opening hours.
They said: “For New Year’s Day, some shops will be opening as normal for trading with reduced hours.”
Shoppers are advised to check with their local store for specific festive season opening hours.
