New Year’s opening hours 2025 – Tesco, Asda and Aldi reveal January 1 closing times
STORES across the UK have confirmed they will cut their opening hours over the New Year to give staff an extra rest.
Some high-street staples are closing their doors entirely while others are drawing the blinds earlier than usual.
It’s good to know when these timings are so you’re well prepared and don’t waste a day out.
Traditionally, most shops are expected to close on New Year’s Day, but in recent years retailers have started to change their opening hours.
We recommend checking the opening hours of your local store as they aren’t always the same across all branches.
If you’re unsure and can’t find any information online, ask a staff member when you’re next in.
Below are the stores that have confirmed closures on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day…
Tesco
Tesco is one of the major stores that will reduce it’s opening hours but not close its doors entirely.
But it’s good to be prepared – especially if you’re needing to stock up on any last-minute booze for New Year’s Eve.
On New Year’s Eve, Tesco Extra stores and superstores will close at 7pm, with some exceptions on the Isle of Man.
Meanwhile, the majority of Express stores will close at 10pm and some bigger branches will only stay open until 7pm.
For New Year’s Day, superstores will open from 8am to 6pm.
Most Express stores are open from 8am to 10pm but some bigger ones may close earlier.
Tesco advises customers check the opening hours of their local store before heading out.
Sainsbury’s
Sainsbury’s is also staying open for the New Year period but with shorter service hours.
On New Year’s Eve, supermarkets will be open from 10am to 7pm and convenience stores from 6am to 9pm.
And on New Year’s Day, supermarkets will be open from 8am to 8pm and convenience stores from 8am to 9pm.
Petrol filling stations will open 30 minutes before and close 30 minutes after the main store on New Year’s Day.
However on New Year’s Eve they will open an hour later.
The supermarket will return to its usual operating hours on January 2.
Check with your local Sainsbury’s to be sure.
M&S
M&S is reducing its hours on New Year’s Eve and completely closing its doors to the public on New Year’s Day.
The retailer told The Sun: “On New Year’s Eve almost 400 of our stores will be open 9am-7pm but customers can check out the hours of their local store on the M&S app or website.
“On New Year’s Day, our stores will be closed so colleagues can spend more time with loved ones.
The size of your shop and whether it has a food hall may cause hours to vary, so check with your local.
Asda
Asda will be reducing its hours on both New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
On December 31 it will open at 7am and close at 7pm.
While on January 1 it will open at 9am and close at 6pm.
Times will vary between stores, however, so shoppers are advised to check the precise timings for their local stores.
You can do this via Store Locator tool on Asda’s website.
Waitrose
Waitrose has confirmed it will shut the majority of its stores on New Years Day with only a handful staying open.
Those which remain open will continue operating via Deliveroo and Uber Eats.
Check with your local Waitrose to find out if it is one of the branches opening on New Year’s Day.
New Year’s Eve opening hours will also vary.
However, stores will generally open at 8am and close at 7pm.
Aldi
Aldi has also confirmed it will close completely on January 1.
It is also set to open at 8am on New Year’s Eve and close to the public early at 6pm.
These hours should be the same across the board so no need to check with your local.
Morrisons
Morrisons has revealed it will open at 7am on New Year’s Eve, and close its doors early at 7pm for all stores in England and Wales.
Those living in Scotland can enter stores from 6am.
On New Year’s Day all stores will open at 8am and close at 6pm.
And on January 1 Morrisons will return to its regular operating hours – unless you live in Scotland, where it will open 9am to 6pm.
Supermarket loyalty schemes - which has one?
MOST UK supermarkets have loyalty schemes so customers can build up points and save money while they shop.
Here we round up what saving programmes you’ll find at the big brands.
- Iceland: Unlike other stores, you don’t collect points with the Iceland Bonus Card. Instead, you load it up with money and Iceland will give you £1 for every £20 you save.
- Lidl Plus: Lidl customers don’t collect points when they shop, and are instead rewarded with personalised vouchers that gives them money off at the till.
- Morrisons: The My Morrisons: Make Good Things Happen replaces the More Card and rewards customers with personalised money off vouchers via the app.
- Sainsbury’s: While Sainsbury’s doesn’t have a personal scheme, it does own the Nectar card which can also be used in Argos, eBay and other shops. You need 200 Nectar points to save up £1 to spend on your card. You need to spend at least £1 to get one Nectar point.
- Tesco: Tesco Clubcard has over 17million members in the UK alone. You use it each time you shop and build up points that can be turned into vouchers – 150 points gets you a £1.50 voucher. Here you need to spend £1 in Tesco to get one point.
- Waitrose: myWaitrose also doesn’t allow you to collect points but instead you’ll get access to free hot drinks, and discounts off certain brands in store.
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