Shoppers planning Easter Sunday will need to adjust after Aldi confirmed a widespread, one-day closure across England and Wales. The German discount chain says more than a thousand branches will be closed for 24 hours as it follows UK trading laws and gives staff time off for the holiday.
Why Aldi is closing more than 1,070 stores on Easter Sunday
The move is driven by the Sunday Trading Act 1994, which restricts trading on certain Sundays for shops above a threshold size. Aldi says it will comply with that law on Easter Sunday, which falls on 5 April 2026, and will close affected stores for the entire day.
Exact hours for the Easter bank holiday weekend
Aldi has published adjusted opening times for the extended break. The schedule varies across the long weekend.
- Good Friday (3 April): most Aldi branches open from 8am to 9pm.
- Easter Saturday (4 April): trading hours generally 8am to 9pm.
- Easter Sunday (5 April): affected stores will be closed for 24 hours due to legal restrictions.
- Easter Monday (6 April): stores reopen with reduced hours, typically 8am to 8pm.
Which stores and regions are affected
Not every branch in the UK will close. The law targets retail premises larger than 280 square metres. This means most larger supermarkets in England and Wales will shut on Easter Sunday.
- Scotland operates under a different retail framework, so Scottish Aldi branches can open as normal.
- Northern Ireland has its own arrangements; Lidl, for example, has outlined different opening times there over the weekend.
How Lidl and other supermarket chains are handling the holiday
Lidl has announced similar plans for the Easter weekend, following the same legal requirements in England and Wales. Retailers typically adopt this pattern each year to align with bank holiday rules.
Supermarket chains often publish localized hours because individual branches may vary.
Why the retailer says it is closing stores
Company spokespeople emphasise a mix of legal compliance and staff welfare. Aldi’s communications director highlighted the importance of the holiday for families and flagged the retailer’s commitment to value and customer service.
Aldi says closures also give colleagues the opportunity to spend the bank holiday with family and friends.
Practical advice for shoppers before the holiday
To avoid last-minute disappointment, customers should confirm local opening times ahead of travel. Use the retailers’ online store finder tools for the most accurate information.
- Check the Aldi store finder for your branch’s exact hours.
- Plan food shopping for Good Friday or Saturday if you need supplies for Sunday.
- Consider calling your local store if the online listing is unclear.
Aldi’s UK footprint and future growth plans
At present, Aldi runs roughly 1,086 stores across the UK. The chain has publicly stated ambitions to expand to about 1,500 locations in the coming years.
As the network grows, the number of branches affected by holiday trading rules may change. For now, the temporary closure on Easter Sunday will touch a large portion of Aldi’s English and Welsh estate.
Similar Posts:
- Aldi opens five new UK stores before Christmas: see full list
- Aldi Excites Shoppers: Exclusive Beauty Launch Includes Manicure Sets and Popular Hair Styler Return
- UK cheapest supermarket revealed: food inflation pushes prices up 5.1%
- Aldi Brings Back Beloved Family Collection: Over 30 Must-Have Items Unveiled!
- Aldi new logo hits stores next week: promises to make shopping easier than ever
Naomi is a clean beauty expert passionate about science-driven skincare and natural remedies. She demystifies ingredients and shares routines that empower readers to glow — naturally.