New Year opening times: New Year’s Day supermarket opening hours for Tesco, Aldi, Asda, Morrisons - and more

• Many UK supermarkets operate reduced hours or close entirely on New Year’s Day
• Discount chains like Aldi and Lidl remain closed, so planning ahead is key
• Convenience stores and smaller branches offer more flexible options for shoppers
• Larger supermarkets such as Tesco, Asda, and Sainsbury’s open on a limited schedule
• Checking local store hours before heading out is strongly recommended

As New Year’s Eve celebrations wind down and 2026 begins, many people head out for a New Year’s Day food shop, whether it’s to restock the fridge, grab ingredients for a low-effort dinner, or pick up forgotten essentials.

But New Year’s Day opening hours are far more limited than New Year’s Eve, with several major supermarkets closing entirely and others running reduced schedules.

Here’s a clear guide to which UK supermarkets are open on New Year’s Day 2026, and which ones shoppers will need to plan around.

As opening times can vary by store and location, shoppers are always advised to check their local branch online before setting off, especially on New Year’s Eve, when queues tend to build quickly in the early evening.

Aldi

On New Year’s Eve, discount supermarket Aldi’s stores will open at 8am and close at 6pm. The chain doesn’t opens on New Year’s Day, so shoppers are advised to plan ahead if they rely on either retailer for groceries.

• New Year’s Eve: 8am to 6pm
• New Year’s Day: Closed

Asda

Asda will keep most of its stores open on New Year’s Eve from 7am until 7pm. On New Year’s Day, shoppers can expect stores to reopen from 9am to 6pm.

As always, opening times can differ slightly depending on location, particularly for smaller or petrol station branches.

• New Year’s Eve: 7am to 7pm
• New Year’s Day: 9am to 6pm

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Co-op

For last-minute essentials, Co-op convenience stores are often the most reliable option. On New Year’s Eve, larger Co-op stores will close at 7pm, while convenience branches will open from 6am or 7am and close later at 8pm.

On New Year’s Day, most larger stores will open from 10am to 7pm, with convenience stores open from 9am to 8pm.

• New Year’s Eve: Usual opening time to 7pm (convenience stores 6am or 7am to 8pm)
• New Year’s Day: 10am to 7pm (convenience stores 9am to 8pm)

Lidl

On New Year’s Eve, Lidl stores will trade from 8am until 6pm. The discount chain remains closed on New Year’s Day, meaning customers will need to stock up in advance if they depend on Lidl for their food shopping.

• New Year’s Eve: 8am to 6pm
• New Year’s Day: Closed

Marks & Spencer

At Marks & Spencer, New Year’s Eve trading will runs from 8am to 7pm. M&S stores are closed on New Year’s Day, so shoppers should factor this in when planning food shops for the start of January.

• New Year’s Eve: 8am to 7pm
• New Year’s Day: Closed

Morrisons

Morrisons stores are open on New Year’s Eve from 7am to 7pm. On New Year’s Day, most branches will reopen between 9am and 6pm.

• New Year’s Eve: 7am to 7pm
• New Year’s Day: 9am to 6pm

Sainsbury’s

At Sainsbury’s, New Year’s Eve hours are slightly later for big stores, which will open at 10am and close at 7pm. Convenience stores under the Sainsbury’s Local banner will follow more regular trading, opening from 6am and closing at 9pm.

On New Year’s Day, larger stores will open from 8am to 8pm, with convenience branches running from 9am to 9pm.

• New Year’s Eve: 10am to 7pm (convenience stores 6am to 9pm)
• New Year’s Day: 8am to 8pm (convenience stores 9am to 9pm)

Tesco

Tesco stores will operate reduced hours over the festive period. On New Year’s Eve, larger Tesco supermarkets will open early at 6am but close at 7pm.

Tesco Express stores will offer more flexibility, typically opening at 7am and staying open until 10pm. On New Year’s Day, most Tesco supermarkets will reopen from 9am to 6pm, while Express branches trade longer, from 8am to 10pm.

• New Year’s Eve: 6am to 7pm (Express stores 7am to 10pm)
• New Year’s Day: 9am to 6pm (Express stores 8am to 10pm)

Waitrose

Waitrose keeps things simpler but more limited. Stores are open on New Year’s Eve, though exact hours vary by location.

But most Waitrose branches are closed on New Year’s Day, with exceptions usually limited to service stations and forecourt locations.

• New Year’s Eve: Open
• New Year’s Day: Closed