Shoppers planning their New Year celebrations are being urged to check their local Asda's opening hours, as the supermarket giant implements adjusted schedules for the festive period.
Revised Opening Hours for New Year
Asda has confirmed changes to its trading hours across the UK for the week leading into 2026. The adjustments affect both its larger supermarkets and smaller Asda Express convenience stores. Opening times do vary by location, so customers are advised to use the store finder tool on the Asda website, entering their postcode for precise details.
For most of the larger Asda supermarkets checked online, the schedule is as follows: stores will be open from 7am until 7pm on New Year's Eve (Wednesday 31 December 2025). On New Year's Day (Thursday 1 January 2026), they will operate reduced hours, typically from 9am until 6pm.
Asda Express Stores Operating as Normal
The picture is different for Asda's expanding network of Express convenience stores. The majority of these smaller outlets are scheduled to open as usual over the New Year period, with many operating 24 hours a day.
Most Asda Express stores are located on petrol forecourts, following the supermarket's acquisition and conversion of hundreds of former Co-op and EG Group sites. These stores stock up to 3,000 branded and own-label products, including essential items like milk and bread, providing a crucial service for last-minute needs.
Context and Money-Saving Tips
The announcement of festive hours comes after Asda revealed last month that a problematic £1 billion IT upgrade had set the business back by an estimated six months. This complex project involves separating over 2,500 legacy IT systems and moving them to new platforms, following the supermarket's 2021 sale by Walmart to the Issa brothers and TDR Capital. Walmart retains a 10% stake, and Zuber Issa sold his share in the business last year.
With household budgets in mind, here are some proven tips to save money on your supermarket shop:
- Look out for yellow sticker reductions, especially near closing time.
- Consider the 'Downshift' challenge by swapping branded goods for supermarket-own labels.
- Meal planning can reduce impulse buys and help use food already in your cupboard.
- Freeze leftovers to cut down on food waste.
Always check your local store's opening times via the Asda website to avoid any disappointment during the New Year break.
