Shoppers across the United Kingdom are making their final preparations for the festive season, and knowing supermarket opening times is crucial. Waitrose has now confirmed its trading schedule for the key Christmas and New Year period, helping customers plan their essential grocery trips.
Essential Festive Opening Times
The upmarket supermarket chain will operate a reduced schedule over the holiday, with significant variations depending on location. All Waitrose branches will be open from 7am until 6pm on Christmas Eve, offering a final opportunity for last-minute purchases.
As expected, all stores across the UK will be closed on Christmas Day to allow staff to spend time with their families. The following day, Boxing Day, will see a split: stores in England and Wales will remain closed, while branches in Scotland will open from 9am to 6pm.
Between Christmas and New Year
For the days between the main holidays, Waitrose will return to extended trading. From 27 to 30 December, stores will be open from 8am to 8pm, providing ample time for those seeking fresh supplies or making the most of the post-Christmas sales.
On New Year's Eve, hours will be shorter again, from 8am to 6pm. For New Year's Day itself, the pattern mirrors that of Boxing Day: stores in England and Wales will be closed, while Scottish shops will open from 10am to 6pm.
Planning Your Festive Shop
These adjusted hours are standard for major UK supermarkets during the public holidays. Customers are advised to check their local branch's details via the Waitrose website for any very slight variations, though the core times are expected to be consistent nationwide.
The release of the schedule coincides with the launch of Waitrose's highly anticipated Christmas advertising campaign. This year's advert features a romantic-comedy theme starring actress Keira Knightley alongside a popular contestant from the hit BBC show The Traitors.
With these clear opening times, shoppers can now confidently plan their festive food shopping, ensuring they have everything they need to celebrate without any last-minute panic.
