Easter Sunday: Which Supermarkets and Shops Will Open or Close
Easter Sunday falls on 5 April 2026. Trading rules mean most large supermarkets in England and Wales will be closed.
Trading rules in England and Wales
Shops larger than 280 square metres cannot open on Easter Sunday or Christmas Day. Small shops up to and including 280 sqm may trade at any hour.
On a normal Sunday, large stores may open for up to six consecutive hours. Those hours must fall between 10am and 6pm.
Which outlets can open
- Airport and railway station retail outlets.
- Service station convenience shops and forecourt outlets.
- Registered pharmacies selling only medicinal and medical supplies.
- Farms selling mainly their own produce at the point of sale.
- Shops selling motor or bicycle parts and accessories mainly.
- Suppliers serving aircraft or sea-going vessels on arrival or departure.
- Exhibition stands that sell goods during events.
Scotland and Northern Ireland
Scotland does not apply the same Sunday trading limits. Retailers there can follow different local rules.
Northern Ireland uses different regulations too. However, larger stores there must still close on Easter Sunday.
Enforcement and staff rights
Large shops that open when prohibited may face fines. Enforcement is used to uphold the trading limits.
Workers who are required to work on Sundays may have special employment rights. There is no automatic right to have public holidays off unless set out in a contract.
Extra pay for working on public holidays is optional. Employers must provide enhanced pay only if the contract specifies it.
If you plan a grocery trip on Easter Sunday, check whether local supermarkets and shops will open or close. Filmogaz.com recommends checking retailer websites or store notices before you travel.
