While the government has advised certain groups – including those over the age of 70 – to be particularly careful in following social distancing measures, we do understand that it isn’t always possible for everyone to do their grocery shopping online or to use a delivery service.
Rather than people having to check out every store’s website, we’ve created a ‘one-stop’ source of information about the measures the most popular supermarkets are putting in place to protect people and make shopping safer, including special opening hours.
Aldi stores are now open for an additional 30 minutes for those over the age of 70 and for vulnerable groups, from 7.30 am to 8 am Monday to Friday. During regular opening hours (8 am-10 pm Monday to Saturday and 10 am-4 pm on Sundays), the stores will limit entry during busy times to ensure a two-metre distance between customers, as well as having distance markers on the floors of all its stores.
The Co-op now has a dedicated shopping hour for vulnerable customers, those who care for them and NHS workers. These shoppers should visit 8 am-9 am, Monday to Saturday and 10 am-11 am on Sundays. Regular hours are now from 7 am-8 pm daily, while stores with a petrol station will close at 11 pm to allow access to fuel.
M&S is reserving the first hour of trading – 8 am-9 am – on Mondays and Thursdays for vulnerable and older customers. There are no changes to regular open hours (8 am – 8 pm on weekdays).
Many Tesco stores (except Express stores) will be prioritising senior people and the most vulnerable for one hour between 9 am, and 10 am every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
Tesco’s opening hours mostly remain the same across its stores, so check the trading times of your local store here. It has also increased its number of home delivery slots; stores which have an online grocery operation will open their doors a little later – from 8am.
Asda has reduced its opening hours to 8 am-8 pm Monday to Saturday. On Sundays, the stores will be open from 11 am-5 pm. Their cafes and deli counters have closed to prioritise essential products, and in line with most stores, the number of people allowed in-store would be limited to ensure social distancing can be employed.
Lidl stores are open as usual. Lidl is advising customers to check its store finder for local opening times. Goods from the bakery will be pre-bagged, and like most stores, there are protective screens at its checkouts and extra security to ensure customers maintain social distancing measures.
Most Iceland stores are running on reduced opening times (9 am–6 pm), Monday to Saturday. To check the opening times of your local store, use the store locator on its website.
Waitrose shops are open every day, but specific times vary store to store, so check the branch finder for your local shop. Waitrose prioritises the first hour of shopping in every store for elderly and vulnerable shoppers.
Morrisons has extended its opening times from 7 am to 8 pm Monday to Saturday, and 9.30 am-4 pm on Sundays.
Sainsbury’s offers older and vulnerable customers dedicated shopping hours between 8 am, and 9 am every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. The supermarket has also launched a volunteer shopping card to enable people to shop for others easily in-store, using a pre-paid card.
If you, or someone you know, could do with some help, you can register yourself or another person on the government’s website here, so that people can be prioritised for supermarket delivery slots and other support.
Don’t forget to contact us at Eden if you need any help with your shopping. You can reach our team in Newbury at 0203 757 2828.
Associated Retirement Community Operators
We are prospective ARCO members and aim to comply with the ARCO Consumer Code at all of the retirement communities we are building.
