Supermarkets like Asda, Tesco and Lidl are either closed or operating under different opening hours over the long Easter weekend (Picture: Getty Images)
There are many things to love about Easter – chocolate eggs, long weekends, and fun with the family.
But what if you forget to stock up before the four-day weekend?
Or your midnight munching habits leave your cupboards barren on the big day?
Easter could be a disaster if you find yourself with no chocolate eggs to hide around the house, or with no sausage and eggs for a lazy Easter Monday brunch.
Knowing where to dart for last minute supplies is all you need to save the day.
But while you’re lounging around stuffing your face with chocolate, so too will many of the people who staff your favourite shops.
Are supermarkets and shops open on Easter Sunday?
The vast majority of supermarkets in England, Wales and Northern Ireland will be closed on Easter Sunday.
Any shop bigger than 280 square metres must be closed on Easter Sunday by law, according to government rules on retailers’ trading hours in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Scotland is the exception, where many stores will remain open, operating under Sunday trading hours.
Other exceptions are registered pharmacies selling only medicinal products, shops and metro supermarkets at service stations, and farm shops that sell primarily their own produce.
Easter Sunday supermarket opening times
Aldi – all stores are closed.
Asda – all stores are closed.
Co-op – stores open as usual, mostly between 7am to 10pm. Hours may vary between stores. You can check your local one here.
Iceland – all stores closed in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Stores are open in Scotland.
Morrisons – all stores closed.
Lidl – all stores closed.
Sainsbury’s – all big stores closed except in Scotland where they open in line with Sunday trading hours. Many Sainsbury’s Locals are open as usual from 7am to 10pm.
Tesco – all large stores closed. Express stores are open as usual.
Waitrose – most stores are closed, with a few exceptions, which you can view here. Shell and Welcome Break stores are open as usual.
The rules for Easter Sunday are crystal clear, but Easter Monday sees more variation in supermarket opening times (Picture: Getty Images)
Are supermarkets and shops open on Easter Monday?
Because Easter Monday is a regular Bank Holiday, there are no laws requiring stores stay closed.
Many supermarkets and shops will be open on Monday, but they might be operating under different hours to give employees an earlier finish or later start.
Easter Monday supermarket opening times
Aldi – stores are open from 8am to 8pm. You can check individual store opening hours online.
Asda – stores are open between 6am to 10pm. You can check your local store’s opening hours online.
Co-op – stores open as usual, mostly between 7am to 10pm. Hours may vary between stores. You can check your local one here.
Iceland – stores open as usual, from as early as 7am to as late as 9pm, with the exception of shopping centre locations. Check your local store here.
Morrisons – stores are open for reduced hours from 7am to 8pm.
Lidl – stores are open for reduced hours from 8am to 8pm. Hours may vary between stores, which you can check here.
Sainsbury’s – stores open as usual from 8am to 8pm for large supermarkets, and 7am to 10pm for convenience shops.
Tesco – some large stores open from 8am to 8pm. Express stores open as usual.
Waitrose – stores are open from 8am-8pm, with some Little Waitrose shops opening from 6am to midnight.
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
For more stories like this, check our news page.