Just like many want to know if shops are open on Good Friday and whether supermarkets are open on Easter Monday, the same is being asked of Easter Sunday...
Whether it's to pick up an extra bag of roast potatoes or shop for last minute Easter eggs for kids or even Easter hampers, or to ensure a foolproof Easter lunch with all the traditional Easter feast offerings, we recommend getting clued up on what shops will be open across the bumper weekend.
Many shops have different opening and closing times during the annual religious celebration. So as always, it's good to check ahead to avoid disappointment - especially where chocolate is involved. We've shared opening times of popular supermarkets like Tesco, Aldi, Lidl and Sainsbury's for the whole Easter weekend.
Are shops open on Easter Sunday?
No, larger supermarket stores tend to be closed on Easter Sunday as it is traditionally classed as a public holiday. Bigger supermarkets in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are required to close subject to government trading restrictions. Stores remain open as usual in Scotland.
Iceland, Morrisons, Aldi, Lidl and Waitrose have confirmed that all their large retail stores will be shut on Easter Sunday. As for their stores in Scotland, they will continue to operate "normal trading hours."
They usually do on Easter Sunday.😁March 26, 2023
Sainsbury's and Tesco's larger stores, plus Tesco Metro and Tesco Extra will also be closed on Easter Sunday. However, some of their smaller stores - Tesco Express and Sainsbury's Local - are expected to open.
If in doubt, be sure to check opening times for these smaller stores on their website.
Though opening times on Easter Sunday vary, all supermarket stores will be open on Good Friday (April 7), Easter Saturday (April 8) and Easter Monday (April 9).
So there's still time to grab bits for an Easter bonnet or hot cross buns around the all important weekend.
Easter 2023 - Supermarket opening times
Aldi
- Good Friday: 8am-10pm
- Saturday 8 April: 8am-10pm
- Easter Sunday: CLOSED
- Easter Monday: 8am-8pm
Check your local Aldi store's opening times here.
ASDA
- Good Friday: 7am-10pm
- Saturday 8 April: 7am-10pm
- Easter Sunday: CLOSED
- Easter Monday: 7am-8pm
Check your local ASDA store's opening times here.
Co-op (bigger stores)
- Good Friday: Normal hours
- Saturday 8 April: Normal hours
- Easter Sunday: CLOSED
- Easter Monday: TBC
Check your local Co-op store's opening times here.
Iceland
- Good Friday: Normal hours
- Saturday 8 April: Normal hours
- Easter Sunday: CLOSED
- Easter Monday: TBC
Check your local Iceland store's opening times here.
Lidl
- Good Friday: Normal hours
- Saturday 8 April: Normal hours
- Easter Sunday: CLOSED
- Easter Monday: 8am-8pm
Check your local Lidl store's opening times here.
Morrisons
- Good Friday: 7am-10pm
- Saturday 8 April: 7am-10pm
- Easter Sunday: CLOSED
- Easter Monday: 7am-8pm
Check your local Morrisons store's opening times here.
Sainsbury's (bigger stores)
- Good Friday: 6am-11pm
- Saturday 8 April: 6am-11pm
- Easter Sunday: CLOSED
- Easter Monday: 7am-10pm
Check your local Sainsbury's store's opening times here.
Tesco (bigger stores)
- Good Friday: Normal hours
- Saturday 8 April: Normal hours
- Easter Sunday: CLOSED
- Easter Monday: 8am-6pm
Check your local Tesco store's opening times here.
Waitrose (bigger stores)
- Good Friday: 8am-8pm
- Saturday 8 April: 8am-10pm
- Easter Sunday: CLOSED
- Easter Monday: 8am-6pm
Check your local Waitrose store's opening times here.
Are smaller supermarkets open on Easter Sunday?
Smaller supermarkets like Tesco Express or Sainsbury's Local aren't necessarily subject to the same opening restrictions as bigger stores in England and Wales.
They are often open later into the evening most Sundays, to around 10 or 11pm.
As well as the smaller versions of superstores, others supermarket shops that will likely be open include:
- Budgens
- The Co-op
- Service station supermarkets
Smaller Marks and Spencer Food stores are likely to open too, selling treats like this year's rude Easter Egg - which fans have have said look something out of lingerie brand Ann Summers.
Whilst Farm shops are also allowed to stay open to sell their produce, but it's always best to check ahead.
Why do supermarkets close on Easter Sunday?
Larger supermarkets are required to close their doors on Easter Sunday as part of government legislation. According to yougov.co.uk, shops "over 280 square metres must close on Easter Sunday". The same rule applies for Christmas Day.
"If your Sunday trading hours are restricted, you must clearly display what they are inside and outside your shop," the government website insists. This is why you'll often see Easter opening times displayed in store reminding customers of when they will be closed during the annual religious holiday.
Shops are also required to only open for six hours on regular Sundays throughout the year. This is a tradition in England and Wales that comes from the Sunday Trading Act 1994, which restricted trading on Sundays to minimal hours and enforced closures on different days of the year.
It's therefore a good idea to plan ahead and purchase all your favourite treats before Easter Sunday to save disappointment.
Related Easter features:
- Does Royal Mail deliver post on Good Friday and Easter Monday?
- Why is Good Friday called Good Friday?
- Why do we celebrate Easter and why does the date change every year?
- What day do you give Easter eggs and where does the tradition come from?
- Easter baskets 2023: 17 of the cutest options for an Easter egg hunt
- 24 of the best Easter hampers: Thorntons, Cadbury, Hotel Chocolat and more
- Best Easter gifts for kids 2023: 40 non-chocolate treats for children
- Easter games and activities: 26 fun ideas for toddlers and kids
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