New Year’s Eve – 31 December 2025
Most supermarkets operate reduced hours before New Year’s Day.
| Supermarket | Typical Opening Hours (31 Dec) |
|---|---|
| Tesco Superstores | ~6am–7pm |
| Tesco Express | ~7am–10pm |
| Asda | ~7am–7pm |
| Sainsbury’s | ~10am–7pm (convenience stores often open longer) |
| Morrisons | ~7am–7pm |
| Aldi | ~8am–6pm |
| Lidl | ~8am–6pm |
| Co-op | ~6am–8pm |
| (Other chains like M&S/Wa itrose vary; check online.) (Yahoo Style) |
New Year’s Day – 1 January 2026
This is a UK bank holiday, so many stores are open with reduced hours—but some are closed completely or partly.
Typically Open (with reduced hours)
| Supermarket | Expected Opening Hours (1 Jan) |
|---|---|
| Tesco Superstores | ~9am–6pm |
| Tesco Express | ~8am–10pm |
| Asda | ~9am–6pm |
| Sainsbury’s (supermarkets) | ~8am–8pm |
| Sainsbury’s Local | ~9am–9pm |
| Morrisons | ~9am–6pm |
| Co-op | ~9am–8pm |
| Waitrose | ~10am–6pm (varies by store) |
| Iceland | Some stores ~10am–5pm |
| (Check locally, as hours can vary by store and region.) (inkl) |
Closed or Mostly Closed
| Supermarket | Notes |
|---|---|
| Aldi | Closed all day nationwide |
| Lidl | Mostly closed; some branches within the M25 (London area) open ~10am–6pm |
| Marks & Spencer (M&S) | Closed in most standard stores (some forecourt or small locations may vary) |
| (Other chains like Poundland, Home Bargains and non-grocery retailers may also close.) (The Sun) |
Quick Highlights
- Tesco – Open on New Year’s Day with reduced hours (express stores often open later/longer). (Yahoo Style)
- Asda – Generally open New Year’s Day but shorter hours. (Yahoo Style)
- Aldi & Lidl – Usually closed on 1 January (Lidl exceptions within the M25). (The Sun)
- Sainsbury’s – Open New Year’s Day with shorter hours (supermarkets and convenience differently). (Yahoo Style)
- Other chains – Many (like M&S or some speciality stores) are shut on 1 Jan. (The Sun)
General Tips
- Opening times can vary by store format (e.g., superstores vs smaller Local/Express shops). (Yahoo Style)
- In Scotland or Northern Ireland, hours sometimes differ from England & Wales, so always check local details. (The Scottish Sun)
- For precise hours near you, use the store locator on the supermarket’s official website or app.
Here’s a **detailed, case-study-style look at UK supermarket opening hours over the **New Year period (especially New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day 2025-26), including comments and real examples of how different retailers handle holiday trading. UK bank holidays and festive trading rules mean multiple major chains vary significantly in their approach — from full closures to extended express hours.(Yahoo Style)
Overview: Holiday Trading Patterns
Key Trends Observed
1. Reduced Hours on New Year’s Eve (31 Dec)
Almost all mainstream supermarkets cut back hours, often closing earlier than normal. Smaller Express/Local formats usually keep later evening hours to capture late shoppers.(Yahoo Style)
2. New Year’s Day (1 Jan) Is a Public Holiday
As a UK bank holiday, many stores adopt significantly shorter trading windows — and some close completely — reflecting both legal trading restrictions and staff wellbeing policies.(The Sun)
Case Studies by Supermarket
Tesco — “Full-service but cautious”
Hours:
- 31 Dec (New Year’s Eve): Typically ~6 am to 7 pm for superstores; Express stores 7 am to 10 pm.
- 1 Jan (New Year’s Day): Superstores ~9 am to 6 pm, Express ~8 am to 10 pm.(Yahoo Style)
Case Insight:
- Tesco’s strategy tends to strike a balance: most of its outlets remain open on New Year’s Day, albeit reduced hours — unlike some rivals (e.g., Aldi and Lidl) that shut completely.
- In previous years, Tesco staff have noted that customers rely on Tesco precisely because other stores are shut, leading to high footfall even when hours are shorter. Social commentary from shoppers indicates Tesco’s holiday availability is a key competitive edge — especially late traders heading back from New Year celebrations.(Reddit)
Comment: Tesco’s approach here prioritises convenience, particularly for those needing essentials when few alternatives are open.
Asda — “Variable but mostly open”
Hours:
- 31 Dec: Most stores ~7 am to 7 pm (some earlier openings possible).
- 1 Jan: Generally open ~9 am to 6 pm (varies with location).(Yahoo Style)
Case Insight:
- Asda does not run 24-hour trading on New Year’s Eve even in traditionally 24/7 branches; holiday hours tend to be broadly in line with Tesco superstores.
- Local shopper reports imply opening times can vary by store, with some outlets scheduled to open significantly later on 1 Jan — sometimes not until closer to midday. This variability reflects retailer discretion to balance staffing and local demand.(London Business Mag)
Comment: Asda’s model here emphasises flexibility — maintaining availability but adjusting to demand and staff holiday needs.
Aldi — “Complete closure on the day”
Hours:
- 31 Dec: Most UK branches ~8 am to 6 pm.
- 1 Jan: Closed nationwide.(The Sun)
Case Insight:
- Aldi confirmed that all ~1,000 of its UK supermarkets will close on New Year’s Day 2026, giving staff the full holiday — one of the few major grocers to do so.
- Local shopper planning guides often emphasise this blanket closure, meaning Aldi customers must plan ahead and cannot rely on Aldi at all on 1 Jan.(The Sun)
Comment: Aldi’s policy here clearly prioritises employee rest and a consistent message, but it means less convenience for last-minute shoppers.
Lidl — “Mostly closed, with urban exceptions”
Hours:
- 31 Dec: ~8 am to 6 pm (standard).
- 1 Jan: Closed except for selected stores within the London M25 area (approx. 10 am–6 pm).(The Sun)
Case Insight:
- Lidl follows a regional exceptions model — most stores close, but a handful of high-demand city branches (e.g., London) remain open during daylight hours on New Year’s Day.
- This mirrors wider retail behaviour where urban demand justifies limited opening while rural/suburban stores close.(The Sun)
Comment: Lidl’s approach reflects a transitional “compromise”, offering some urban availability while giving staff much of the day off.
Comments & Shopper Experiences
Community Perspective: Staff Wellbeing vs. Customer Need
Several commenters note that when rivals shut on bank holidays — particularly Aldi and Lidl — Tesco benefits from being one of the few open stores. Staff and customers online often debate this dynamic: Tesco’s availability is useful for consumers but can clash with views on staff holiday quality.(Reddit)
Real-world Variability
- While official guidance gives ranges, many stores still differ — with some Asda locations opening later on New Year’s Day and Express format shops running extended hours compared to full supermarkets.
- Local conditions (labour shortages, regional regulations) can significantly affect specific store times, so checking via each supermarket’s store locator before visiting remains advisable.(UK Startup Magazine –)
Summary Table (Typical Times)
| Supermarket | 31 Dec | 1 Jan |
|---|---|---|
| Tesco | 6am–7pm / Express later | 9am–6pm / Express 8–10pm |
| Asda | ~7am–7pm | ~9am–6pm |
| Aldi | 8am–6pm | Closed |
| Lidl | 8am–6pm | Mostly closed (some M25 stores open) |
(Times are indicative and vary by store. Always check local listings.)(Yahoo Style)
Takeaways
- Tesco & Asda offer the broadest availability over New Year’s Day, albeit with reduced hours.
- Aldi opts for a full closure on New Year’s Day, giving staff a complete break.
- Lidl generally closes but keeps select urban stores open.
- Consumers planning last-minute shopping should check online using store locators because local trading times can vary significantly.(UK Startup Magazine –)