Easter 2026 falls across the first weekend of April, with Good Friday on April 3 and Easter Monday on April 6. For millions of shoppers across the UK, that raises the familiar question: which shops are open, when, and for how long? Here is a comprehensive guide to what you can expect from the biggest retailers this Easter bank holiday weekend.
Easter Bank Holiday Dates 2026
There are four days to consider when planning your Easter shopping:
- Good Friday – April 3: Bank holiday in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland
- Easter Saturday – April 4: Normal trading day (not a bank holiday)
- Easter Sunday – April 5: Restricted trading day under Sunday trading laws
- Easter Monday – April 6: Bank holiday in England, Wales and Northern Ireland (not Scotland)
B&M Bargains Opening Hours Easter 2026
B&M stores typically remain open throughout the Easter period, though hours are often reduced on bank holidays. On Good Friday and Easter Monday, most B&M stores operate from around 8am to 8pm, though this varies by location. Easter Saturday usually sees normal opening hours, while Easter Sunday hours are restricted by law for larger stores. Customers should check the B&M store locator for their nearest branch’s specific hours.
Home Bargains Easter Hours
Home Bargains follows a similar pattern to B&M. Larger stores over 3,000 square metres are subject to Sunday trading restrictions, meaning they can only open for six consecutive hours on Easter Sunday. Smaller stores may have more flexibility. Good Friday and Easter Monday hours are generally similar to weekday trading but with some reduction. Again, checking locally is always the safest approach.
Primark Easter Opening Times
Primark stores across the UK are typically open on Good Friday from 9am to 8pm in most locations. Easter Saturday operates as a normal trading day with standard hours. Easter Sunday is subject to Sunday trading law restrictions at larger stores, with Primark’s bigger city-centre locations restricted to six hours of trading. Easter Monday sees a return to near-normal hours, often 9am to 8pm, making it a popular day for spring shopping.
Supermarkets: Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Morrisons
Major supermarkets reduce their hours across the Easter weekend. On Good Friday and Easter Monday, most large supermarkets open later and close earlier than usual — typically 8am to 8pm for larger stores. Easter Sunday sees the most significant restrictions, with large stores limited to six hours of trading. Express and convenience formats, which are under 3,000 square metres, are not subject to Sunday trading restrictions and can open as normal.
It is worth doing a large shop on Easter Saturday if you want the widest choice and the most convenient hours, as this is the only day of the four with essentially unrestricted trading for all store sizes.
Next, John Lewis and Other High Street Retailers
Clothing and homeware retailers such as Next and John Lewis generally open on Good Friday and Easter Monday with reduced hours — often 10am to 6pm. Easter Sunday hours at larger stores are subject to the six-hour restriction. John Lewis’s flagship stores in London and Edinburgh typically trade from 11am to 5pm on Easter Sunday. Next operates a similar pattern. Many retailers publish their specific Easter hours on their websites in advance, and it is worth checking before you travel.
Sunday Trading Laws Explained
The rules governing Easter Sunday trading in England and Wales are set out under the Sunday Trading Act 1994. Shops larger than 280 square metres (approximately 3,000 square feet) are restricted to six consecutive hours of trading between 10am and 6pm on Sundays, including Easter Sunday. Smaller shops have no such restriction. The rules apply in England and Wales but not in Scotland, where there is no equivalent Sunday trading legislation.
Tips for Easter Shopping
To make the most of the Easter bank holiday weekend:
- Do your big weekly shop on Easter Saturday, when all stores trade at normal hours
- Plan ahead for Easter Sunday — check your local store’s opening times in advance
- Use click-and-collect to avoid potential queues at busy retail parks
- Consider online shopping if you want to avoid the bank holiday crowds altogether
- Check individual store pages rather than general brand websites for the most accurate local information
Easter weekend is one of the busiest retail periods of the year, with both online and in-store traffic typically spiking as families stock up on food, gifts and spring clothing. Planning ahead will help you avoid disappointment and make the most of what is available.