Shopping Information

A number of supermarket chains have had to impose strict shopping measures, in order to make sure that they can provide a good service for their customers, whilst also adhering to social distancing norms.

Aldi

Has it changed its store opening hours?

Yes. Stores are now open 8am to 8pm every day except for Sundays, when stores are open from 10am to 4pm.

Are there any buying restrictions in place?

Aldi has recently announced it has lifted restrictions on most products.

Any dedicated elderly & vulnerable shopping times?

There are no special opening hours for the elderly or vulnerable at the time of writing.

Any dedicated shopping times for NHS workers?

Yes, all stores will be open half an hour earlier on Sundays for NHS, police and fire service workers – you’ll need to bring a form of ID with you.

Any restrictions on shoppers?

Yes, the number of people in store are being limited when necessary, and a queueing system may be implemented.

There are markers on the floor to help everyone maintain a safe distance and paying by contactless methods is encouraged.

Aldi is also advising people to shop alone if possible.

Are contactless card payments up to £45 accepted?

Yes, from 6 April.

What’s the current waiting time for new online deliveries?

You can’t order grocery products online for delivery – you must go in store.

Asda

Has it changed its store opening hours?

Yes, stores are now open 8am to 8pm every day except for Sundays as the opening times will stay the same.

Are there any buying restrictions in place?

Yes, you can currently buy a maximum of three items for certain hand-washing and baby milk products in store and online.

According to media reports, the supermarket has removed limits on fruits, vegetables and chilled products.

Any dedicated elderly & vulnerable shopping times?

There are no special opening hours for the elderly or vulnerable, but a Volunteer Shopping Card has been launched so people can buy goods for those who cannot leave the house.

This card doesn’t involve exchanging cash or sharing bank details and can be used for contactless payment.

Any dedicated shopping times for NHS workers?

NHS and care workers are being prioritised in larger stores every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8am to 9am. You'll need to bring ID with you to enter the store.

Any restrictions on shoppers?

Yes, the number of customers in store will be limited when necessary, so Asda recommends shopping with fewer family members.

There are floor markings spaced two metres apart across the store to help encourage social distancing.

Are contactless card payments up to £45 accepted?

Yes, the contactless limit has been increased to £45 at Asda.

What’s the current waiting time for new online deliveries?

A spokesperson from Asda said there’s no average waiting time as it depends on where your delivery would be coming from.  

Lidl

Has it changed its store opening hours?

Yes, its stores are open from 8am to 8pm until further notice.

Are there any buying restrictions in place?

Yes, but only on toilet roll, which is four units per customer.

Any dedicated elderly & vulnerable shopping times?

There are no dedicated shopping times for the elderly and vulnerable.

Any dedicated shopping times for NHS workers?

There are as of yet, although Lidl is working with the Royal Voluntary Service to deliver fruit and veg to NHS frontline staff.

Any restrictions on shoppers?

Lidl is monitoring the volume of people entering stores, so the number of shoppers may be restricted and have introduced floor markings to encourage social distancing.

The discounter is also advising people to pay by contactless if they can.

Are contactless card payments up to £45 accepted?

You can now pay for your shopping contactless if it doesn’t exceed £45.

What’s the current waiting time for new online deliveries?

You can’t order grocery products online for delivery – you must go in store.

Morrisons

Has it changed its store opening hours?

Yes, it will now be open from 8am to 8pm, Monday to Saturday, while Sunday opening hours will remain the same.

Are there any buying restrictions in place?

Morrisons has capped the amount people can buy to only three items per customer on every product line online.

According to media reports, customers will also be restricted on purchases of cleaning products such as bleach and hand sanitiser.

Any dedicated elderly & vulnerable shopping times?

There are none so far.

Any dedicated shopping times for NHS workers?

NHS workers can visit any Morrisons store from 7am to 8am, Monday to Saturday. 

Any restrictions on shoppers?

Morrisons encourages ‘one person per trolley’ and a queueing system when necessary.

Are contactless card payments up to £45 accepted?

Yes, the contactless limit has now been increased to £45.

What’s the current waiting time for new online deliveries?

According to Morrisons, there are no delivery slots available online or over the phone, so you might have to wait a few weeks for a slot. 

Sainsbury’s

Has it changed its store opening hours?

Yes, stores are now open from 8am to 8pm, Monday to Saturday, while Sunday opening hours will remain the same.

Are there any buying restrictions in place?

Customers are currently able to buy up to three of any grocery products and a maximum of two of the most popular products, including toilet paper, soap and UHT milk.

Sainsbury’s says it will start to remove some limits on the number of non-essential items you can buy from 5 April, but limits will remain in place for the most in-demand items.

Any dedicated elderly & vulnerable shopping times?

All of Sainsbury’s supermarkets will dedicate 8am-9am every Monday, Wednesday and Friday to serving elderly and disabled customers, as well as their carers.

Any dedicated shopping times for NHS workers?

All NHS and social care workers can shop at any Sainsbury’s for half an hour before they open (usually 7:30-8am) from Monday to Saturday. You’ll need to bring ID when you visit the store.

Any restrictions on shoppers?

Yes, only one adult per household will be allowed into the store. If you show up with more than one adult, one must be chosen to shop while the others wait outside.

Children are welcome – but only if they cannot stay at home.

There is also a queueing system in place outside stores and markings on the shop floor to help everyone maintain a safe distance.

Are contactless card payments up to £45 accepted?

Not specified as of yet.

What’s the current waiting time for new online deliveries?

Sainsbury’s is prioritising elderly and vulnerable customers for online delivery slots and there has been no confirmation concerning how long customers will need to wait for a slot.

Tesco

Has it changed its store opening hours?

Yes, all stores will now close at 10pm but it’s recommended that you check opening times.

Are there any buying restrictions in place?

Yes, you can only buy up to three items per product line and there is a limit of 80 items per online order.

Any dedicated elderly & vulnerable shopping times?

All stores will be prioritising the elderly and most vulnerable customers between 9am and 10am every Monday, Wednesday and Friday (except at Express stores).

Any dedicated shopping times for NHS workers?

NHS workers can shop exclusively at Tesco (except Express stores) between 9am and 10am on Tuesdays, Thursdays and an hour before checkouts open on Sundays.

Any restrictions on shoppers?

Yes, there will be a limit on the amount of people allowed in store and floor markings both in store and car parks to help people maintain safe distances.

Are contactless card payments up to £45 accepted?

Not specified as of yet.

What’s the current waiting time for new online deliveries?

There are currently no delivery slots for a few weeks, so you may be waiting a while for a slot.

Waitrose

Has it changed its store opening hours?

No, but according to a Waitrose spokesperson, all shops have the option to be flexible with their trading hours, and branches may be closed early. 

Are there any buying restrictions in place?

Customers will only be able to buy three of any specific grocery items, and a maximum of two packets of toilet roll. There is also a temporary cap on certain products that can be bought online, including anti-bacterial soaps and wipes, pasta and some canned goods.

In store product limits don’t apply to fresh products, beers, wines, ciders, spirits and Easter eggs.

Any dedicated elderly & vulnerable shopping times?

The first trading hour of all Waitrose supermarkets will be dedicated to serving elderly and vulnerable customers, as well as their carers.

Waitrose will also be prioritising online delivery slots for vulnerable and elderly customers.

Any dedicated shopping times for NHS workers?

Currently there are no dedicated shopping hours for NHS staff, but all Waitrose stores are setting aside some essential products exclusively for NHS workers.

You’ll need to bring ID to prove eligibility – you can also get a priority checkout service.

Any restrictions on shoppers?

Yes, Waitrose is currently limiting the number of customers in its shops and has requested that couples and families don’t shop together.

Similar to other supermarkets, there will be signs to keep customers two metres apart. On top of this, dedicated marshals will help manage queues.

Are contactless card payments up to £45 accepted?

Waitrose is working on implementing the increased limit.

What’s the current waiting time for new online deliveries?

You may have to wait several weeks for a delivery slot. Waitrose advises checking the site regularly as new slots are being added daily.