Tesco to open 300 stores for 24 hours as Sainsbury’s and M&S also extend opening hours in run-up to Christmas
TESCO is set to open more than 300 stores for 24 hours in the run up to Christmas as more supermarkets unveil their festive opening hours.
The Grocery giant will keep the doors of these stores open around the clock from December 14 to Christmas Eve.
The rest of its stores will also operate at extended trading hours from 5am until 11pm between those dates.
It comes as more and more supermarkets unveiled their Christmas opening hours today, including M&S, Sainsbury’s and Aldi.
Some supermarkets like Sainbury’s have extended their festive hours for much longer than usual to help cater for the unprecedented shopping rush that is anticipated in the wake of lockdown.
Sainsbury’s is set to open from 6am until midnight in the run up to December 25.
While M&S has backtracked on its decision to keep 200 stores open on Boxing Day, joining several other supermarkets who have chosen to close on both December 25 and 26 so that staff can have more time off.
How to cut the cost of your grocery shop
SAVING on your shop can make a big difference to your wallet. Here are some tips from comparison site Money.co.uk about how you can cut the cost of your shopping bills:
- Write yourself a list – Only buy items that you need. If it isn’t on your list, don’t put it in the trolley
- Create a budget – Work out a weekly budget for your food shopping
- Never shop hungry – you are far more likely to buy more food if your tummy is rumbling
- Don’t buy pre-chopped veggies or fruit – The extra they’ll charge for chopping can be eye watering
- Use social media – follow your favourite retailers to find out about the latest deals
- Be disloyal – You may want to go to different stores to find the best bargains
- Check the small print – It’s always worth checking the price per kg/lb/litre when comparing offers so you’re making a like for like decision as a bigger box won’t necessarily mean you get more
- Use your loyalty cards – Don’t be afraid to sign up to them all. They all work slightly differently – work out what bonus suits you better and remember to trade in your points for additional rewards
M&S also has plans to open stores until mignight to make the most of pre-Christmas trade.
Many supermarket food delivery slots already booked up, so most people will now need to rely on Click&Collect services or shopping in store.
So keeping up to date on the changing schedule is essential but we’ve got you covered with our guide to supermarket opening hours.
But here, we take a comprehensive look at the latest supermarket announcements on trading hours during the festive season.
What are Tesco’s opening hours before Christmas?
Tesco is opening 300 stores for 24 hours from December 14 to Christmas eve, the Sun understands.
The supermarket chain will also extend the hours of the remaining stores for the same dates.
Stores will open from 5am to 11pm for these two weeks, the publication said.
It’s important to note that Tesco hours differ throughout the year depending on if you shop in a superstore, or a smaller Express branch.
This will be the same case over Christmas, so be sure to check ahead before making the journey.
Shoppers have a choice of just under 4,000 Tesco stores – see here for which one is nearest to you.
What are Tesco’s opening hours for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day?
Tesco has also yet to confirm its Christmas opening times for 2020.
But last year Tesco Extras, Superstores and Metro stores were at their usual time on Christmas Eve and close at 7pm.
Petrol stations shut an hour after the main store closes, apart from in London where they closed at 10pm.
Express stores closed at 10pm too.
All Tesco stores across the country were shut on Christmas Day and this is likely to be the case again.
On Boxing Day, Tesco Extras, Superstores and Metro stores in England, Scotland and Wales were open from 9am to 6pm.
In Northern Ireland, Tesco Extras and Superstores ran from 10am to 6pm.
Express stores opened at 8am to 10pm and all petrol stations ran from 8am to 7pm.
What are M&S’s opening hours before Christmas?
M&S has already said it will be offering it’s longest ever store opening hours in the lead up to Chistrmas.
But today, it also announced a major U-turn on Boxing Day, saying it will now close all stores to give staff the extra day off.
In the lead up to Christmas, the grocery giant will keep around 400 shops (two-thirds of its stores) open until midnight.
The rest will open until 10pm.
The extended opening times include almost all of M&S’ food-only branches, along with some clothing and food stores.
The midnight closing applies on December 21, 22 and 23. Christmas Eve hours are likely to be different to regular opening times, but the midnight hours won’t apply.
M&S recommends customers check its store finder tool for the latest hours.
What are M&S’s opening hours for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day?
Shops are expected to shut at 6pm on Christmas eve and remain closed on Christmas Day.
After initially saying it would open around 200 stores on Boxing Day, the retailer has now backtracked.
Steve Rowe, CEO at M&S said they will close all its trading hours on Boxing Day so that staff can “enjoy more special time with their loved ones”.
What are Sainsbury’s opening hours before Christmas?
Sainsbury’s has today announced it’s extended Christmas opening hours as part of new measures encouraging customers to shop early and shop safely ahead of the festive season.
The retailer said that 90% of its supermarkets will be open from 6am until midnight from December 21 to December 23.
But the retailer is also urging customers to shop alone and shop early this year.
It will give customers 10 times the Nectar points when they purchase long-life food products between December 4 and 13.
There are over 600 Sainsbury’s supermarkets in the UK. You can find your nearest one here.
What are Sainsbury’s opening hours for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day?
Most Sainsbury’s stores will open from 6am to 7pm on Christmas Eve.
All stores will remain closed on Christmas Day.
The Sun has asked Sainsbury’s if it plans to open stores on Boxing Day and if so, how many and for what hours.
What are Aldi’s opening hours before Christmas?
Aldi shoppers will find the opening times of their favourite store will change slightly from December 24.
The supermarket’s stores hours may vary from branch to branch.
There are 870 branches in the UK so be sure to check your local’s opening hours before heading down. Click here to find where your nearest Aldi is.
But in general, they will operate at normal hours until December 19 when hours will extend to 7am-11pm.
On December 20 – a Sunday – stores will be open from 10am to 4pm.
They will then operate at the extended hours of 7am to 11pm on December 21, 22 and 23.
What are Aldi’s opening hours for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day?
Most Aldi stores will be running reduced hours on December 24.
More on Christmas
They will be opening from 8am to 6pm so workers can get home in time to relax before the big day.
Aldi is then closed across the UK on December 25.
The discounter has confirmed it will remain closed on Boxing Day so employees can continue enjoying time with their families.