If you are worried about grabbing last-minute champagne for your New Year's Eve celebrations or sourcing ingredients for a fresh start on January 1st, you will need to know which shops are open. With New Year's Day 2026 falling on a Thursday bank holiday, major UK supermarkets have announced their revised festive schedules.
Which Supermarkets Are Closed on New Year's Day?
Several retailers have chosen to give their staff a complete break on January 1st. Aldi has confirmed all its branches will be closed, following its Christmas and Boxing Day shutdown. Rebecca Heley, a communications director for the chain, emphasised the importance of allowing colleagues time to relax with loved ones over the festive period.
Similarly, Marks & Spencer stores will be shut on New Year's Day, with most also closing early on New Year's Eve. Operations director Jayne Wall noted the special nature of Christmas at M&S and expressed gratitude for employee efforts.
For Lidl, the picture varies by location. Stores outside the M25 boundary will be closed on New Year's Day. However, branches within London will welcome customers between 10am and 6pm. All Lidl stores will be open as usual on New Year's Eve.
Supermarkets Open with Reduced Hours
Many of the UK's largest grocery chains will be trading on both days, but shoppers must prepare for significantly reduced operating hours. It is essential to check your local store's specific times using online store finders to avoid a wasted trip.
Tesco will be open, but many of its Express convenience stores, for example, will close an hour early at 10pm on both December 31st and January 1st.
Morrisons has published the following guide, though local variations may apply:
- New Year's Eve (31 Dec): 7am to 7pm in England & Wales / 6am to 7pm in Scotland.
- New Year's Day (1 Jan): 9am to 6pm in England & Wales / 8.30am to 6.30pm in Scotland.
Sainsbury's, Asda, and Waitrose have all confirmed they will be open on both days, but with earlier closing times. Some Waitrose branches may be closed on New Year's Day, so a local check is vital. Asda has stated that even its 24-hour superstores will operate reduced hours.
The Co-op has also announced it will be open, typically opening later and closing earlier than normal on the bank holiday.
Plan Ahead to Avoid Disappointment
With the festive period causing widespread changes to standard retail hours, a little planning can prevent frustration. All supermarkets advise customers to use their official online store locators for the most accurate, branch-specific information. Normal trading hours are expected to resume from Friday, January 2nd, 2026, marking the end of the holiday schedule.
Whether you are stocking up for a party or aiming for a healthy start to the new year, knowing these key opening times will help ensure your shopping trip is successful.
