BANK holiday shoppers may be wondering what time supermarkets are open on the day of Queen Elizabeth ll’s funeral.
Buckingham Palace confirmed that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II had passed away on September 8, 2022.
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As the nation enters a period of deep mourning, shoppers may be unsure which supermarkets are open on September 19, the day of the funeral.
The government advised: “Some businesses may wish to consider closing or postponing events, especially on the day of the State Funeral, however, this is at the discretion of individual businesses.”
Are shops open today?
Shops do not have to close today, but some may choose to do so out of respect.
Some retailers may choose to operate reduced hours too.
Selfridges closed its stores in London, Manchester and Birmingham on Friday but reopened them for the weekend.
French Connection, which runs 26 shops across the UK, also closed their stores on Friday following the death of the Queen.
A spokesman said: “Following the sad news of the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, we will close the doors of all our French Connection stores on Friday September 9.
“Our thoughts are with the royal family at this time.”
Some French Connection stores may be open again today for the weekend – it’s best to call up your nearest one first to check.
Historic London department store Liberty was among the first to confirm it would not open on Friday.
The Soho-based retailer said: “Our heartfelt sympathy and thoughts are with the royal family at this sad time.”
Liberty stores reopened again on Saturday.
But most other high street retailers are operating as normal.
The national mourning guidance, published on Friday, highlights that firms are not expected to halt operations.
Tesco
Tesco is to close all of its large stores on Monday in order for its staff to pay their respects.
The supermarket giant said its express stores will be open until 5pm except for a small number of Express stores in Central London and Windsor that will be open throughout the day.
A spokesman said: “We want to express our deepest condolences to the Royal Family, as well as our gratitude to Her Majesty The Queen for her unwavering service.”
Aldi
Aldi will shut all its UK stores to customers on the day of Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral.
The budget supermarket posted on its Twitter page this afternoon to let customers know that stores would be shut.
The post read: “Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II – As a mark of respect, all Aldi stores across the UK will close on Monday, September 19 to allow our store colleagues to pay tribute to Her Majesty The Queen.”
Lidl
Lidl has confirmed that, as a mark of respect, it will close all its stores across England, Scotland and Wales on the day of the funeral.
A spokesman said: “We are grateful to all Lidl customers for their understanding and will be keeping all who mourn Her Royal Highness in our thoughts during this time.”
Sainsbury’s and Argos
Sainsbury’s and Argos will shut all its UK stores to customers on the day of Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral.
The supermarket giant confirmed in a statement it will close its doors on Monday, September 19.
A spokesman said: “We are deeply saddened by the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
“In honour of Her Majesty and so our colleagues can pay their respects, all Sainsbury’s supermarkets and Argos stores will be closed on Monday, 19th September. “
This will also include groceries online and Argos fast track delivery.
Sainsbury’s said its convenience stores and petrol filling stations will be open from 5pm-10pm to allow our customers to pick up essential items.
Select stores in central London will also be open to serve those attending the funeral in person.
Marks and Spencer
Marks & Spencer is to close all of its store and pause its delivery services.
A small number of stores open in the London area will remain open so mourners in the capital can grab a drink or a bite to eat.
Stuart Machin, CEO of M&S said: “All of us at M&S – and indeed across the country and beyond – feel a real and deep sense of loss and sadness at the passing of Her Majesty, as well as huge respect for the grace with which His Majesty King Charles III and the wider Royal Family have led the nation in our mourning.”
John Lewis and Waitrose
The John Lewis Partnership said it will shut John Lewis department stores and Waitrose supermarkets all day for the funeral.
Andrew Murphy, chief operating officer of The John Lewis Partnership, said: “We are deeply saddened by the death of Her Majesty The Queen.
“We will be closing our stores on the day of her funeral as a mark of respect, and because we believe this is the right thing to do for our partners and customers.”
It added there may be “a very limited number of Waitrose stores” near to the route of the funeral procession which remain open to serve members of the public nearby.
It stressed these shops would close during the funeral itself.
Morrisons
Morrisons is finalising details to close stores or reduce opening hours, sources told The Sun.
It is thought that large supermarkets will shut roughly between the hours of 10am and 2pm.
However, smaller convenience stores will remain open, in part to ensure that the thousands of people expected to gather to watch the funeral will be able to buy water and food for the day.
Asda
Asda announced today that it would also close its doors for the funeral.
An Asda spokesperson: “As a mark of respect for Her Majesty The Queen, all Asda stores will be closed on Monday 19th September until 5pm to allow our customers and colleagues to recognise the passing of our late Monarch and commemorate her steadfast service to our nation.
“We will not be offering online deliveries on Monday 19th September.
“All our stores will close by midnight on Sunday, 18th September and reopen at 5pm on Monday, 19th September.
“Those colleagues contracted to work while the stores are closed will receive their normal pay. Any colleagues who work when the stores reopen will be paid double time for the rest of the day.”
