Boxing Day shoppers across the United Kingdom are being urged to plan ahead, as major supermarkets implement a range of opening hours for the bank holiday. While some retailers remain closed entirely, others are operating on significantly reduced schedules, creating a post-Christmas patchwork of availability for last-minute essentials and sale bargains.
Major Supermarket Chains: Reduced Hours Rule the Day
The UK's biggest grocery players have largely opted for shorter trading days on Friday the 26th of December 2025. Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda, and Morrisons will all be open from 9am until 6pm at their larger stores. This provides a limited window for customers compared to normal trading hours.
However, convenience formats offer some extended flexibility. Tesco Express stores will welcome customers from 9am to 7pm, giving an extra hour for those in need. Sainsbury's local convenience outlets are providing the most generous access, staying open for a full twelve hours from 9am through to 9pm.
Store Closures and Co-op's Convenience Model
Shoppers looking to visit several other prominent names will find their doors shut. Aldi, Lidl, Waitrose, and Marks & Spencer have all confirmed they will be closed for the Boxing Day bank holiday, with normal service expected to resume on Saturday.
The Co-operative Group is taking a hybrid approach. Its larger supermarkets will operate from 10am to 7pm. Meanwhile, its neighbourhood convenience stores, which are often vital for local communities, will mirror the Tesco Express model with hours from 9am to 7pm.
Planning Your Essential Shop
The varied schedules underscore the importance of checking your local store's specific hours before travelling, as there can be exceptions. The pattern of reduced hours at major outlets and closures elsewhere reflects the bank holiday status of Boxing Day, a traditional day off for many retail workers.
With many London shoppers already hitting the Boxing Day sales on Oxford Street, those focusing on groceries are advised to factor in these limited timings. The guidance for New Year's Eve and New Year's Day is expected to follow a similar but distinct pattern, with announcements from the supermarkets likely in the coming days.
