Full list of supermarkets and shops NOT opening on Boxing Day
FROM Aldi to Home Bargains and Wickes, we explain which stores will be closed on Boxing Day this year. More stores are closing their doors for longer during the festive season to give their staff some much-needed time off after a stressful year. But this also means customers will need to plan their shopping trips […]
FROM Aldi to Home Bargains and Wickes, we explain which stores will be closed on Boxing Day this year.
More stores are closing their doors for longer during the festive season to give their staff some much-needed time off after a stressful year.
But this also means customers will need to plan their shopping trips carefully.
Almost all stores across the UK will be shut on Christmas Day, but there are also a handful of shops that won’t open on December 26 either.
Opening hours can also vary from branch to branch so check your local store times before you make any trip.
Remember that if you’re in Tier 4, all non-essential shops are closed until those restrictions are lifted.
But we’ve rounded up a full list of stores that are closing across the UK on Boxing Day, regardless of your lockdown status.
How to cut the cost of your grocery shop
SAVING on your shop can make a big difference to your wallet. Here are some tips from comparison site Money.co.uk about how you can cut the cost of your shopping bills:
- Write yourself a list – Only buy items that you need. If it isn’t on your list, don’t put it in the trolley
- Create a budget – Work out a weekly budget for your food shopping
- Never shop hungry – you are far more likely to buy more food if your tummy is rumbling
- Don’t buy pre-chopped veggies or fruit – The extra they’ll charge for chopping can be eye watering
- Use social media – follow your favourite retailers to find out about the latest deals
- Be disloyal – You may want to go to different stores to find the best bargains
- Check the small print – It’s always worth checking the price per kg/lb/litre when comparing offers so you’re making a like for like decision as a bigger box won’t necessarily mean you get more
- Use your loyalty cards – Don’t be afraid to sign up to them all. They all work slightly differently – work out what bonus suits you better and remember to trade in your points for additional rewards
Aldi
Aldi will keep its stores shut on Boxing Day, just like it has done in previous years. Shops will also be shut on Christmas Day.
This means the last time you’ll be able to shop in Aldi before the big day is Christmas Eve, when its stores will close on 6pm.
But don’t forget to check your local branch’s times before you make the trip.
Asda
Asda has also confirmed it’ll close its stores on Boxing Day this year. Shops will be closed on Christmas Day like normal too.
For shoppers who need last-minute dinner bits, you’ll want to note that Asda supermarkets will close from 7pm on Christmas Eve.
For your local stores’ opening times, you can look them up here.
Home Bargains
Another retailer keeping its doors closed on Boxing Day is Home Bargains. Its stores will also stay shut on Christmas Day, as normal.
Your last date to shop in Home Bargains before Christmas will be Christmas Eve, where stores are expected to close at 5pm.
Times may vary from branch to branch, so it’s important to check your nearest Home Bargains’ opening times.
Homebase
Homebase will keep its stores shut on Boxing Day, just like it has done in previous years. Shops will also be shut on Christmas Day.
This means the last time you’ll be able to shop in Homebase before the big day is Christmas Eve, when its stores will close earlier than usual at 4pm.
Check your local Homebase’s opening hours here.
John Lewis
John Lewis is closing all of its stores on Christmas Day so the last time you’ll be able to shop in their branches is before 5pm on Christmas Eve.
Stores will also be closed on Boxing Day, apart from the Trafford Centre branch in Manchester which will open from 8am to 8pm.
Most John Lewis stores will reopen at 11am on December 27 but before you travel check your nearest branch’s opening times.
Lidl
Lidl stores in England outside of the M25 will stay closed on Boxing Day, but shops inside the London ring-road will open from 10am until 7pm.
On Christmas Eve, stores will close early – at 7pm for shops within the M25, 6pm for those outside of it
All Lidl supermarkets will then remain close on Christmas Day.
For your local branch’s opening times, check here.
M&S
Marks and Spencer has gone back on a decision to keep 200 of its stores open on Boxing Day, meaning all of its shops will now be shut on December 26.
As always, its stores will remain shut on Christmas Day too.
Check your local stores Christmas Eve and festive hours before you make the trip.
Pets at Home
Pets at Home has also joined the supermarkets in keeping its stores closed on December 26.
It’s not clear how late Pets at Home shops will stay open until on Christmas Eve, but its stores are expected to be closed as normal on Christmas Day.
Here’s where you can look up your local store’s opening times.
Poundland
Poundland shoppers won’t be able to browse stores on Boxing Day, as its shops will be closed. They’ll also remain shut on Christmas Day.
For the budget retailer’s Christmas Eve hours, check your local branch’s opening times here.
Specsavers
Most of the opticians’ branches will close for Christmas Day, Boxing Day and December 27.
Shops are still opening on Christmas Eve but check with your local branch before you make the trip.
Don’t forget to check your nearest Specsavers’ opening hours.
The Entertainer
Toy retailer The Entertainer will close for three consecutive days over Christmas, including Christmas Day, Boxing Day and December 27.
Shops will still be open on Christmas Eve between 8am and 5pm for parents to snag very last-minute presents.
Before you make the trip, check you nearest branch’s opening times.
Waitrose
The majority of Waitrose stores remain shut on Boxing Day, with the exception of those in Welcome Break motorway service stations and Shell forecourts.
The same goes for Christmas Day. On Christmas Eve, most stores will open from 7am to 6pm.
As festive hours can vary depending on the branch, don’t forget to look up your nearest stores’ opening times before you go.
Wickes
Wickes will close its stores for three days over Christmas, including Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
It means the last day shoppers can browse in stores before Christmas is December 23.
For your local branch’s opening times, click here.
Most read in Money
We’ve rounded up everything you need to know about the supermarket Christmas and New Year hours here.
It comes as Tesco’s boss urges shoppers to visit stores alone to help reduce queues in a reminder on COVID supermarket rules.
We’ve also explained which businesses and non-essential shops are able to open in Tier 4.