Shoppers across the UK are being urged to check their local Tesco opening times ahead of the festive period, as the supermarket giant confirms its Christmas and New Year schedule for 2025.
Tesco's Festive Opening Hours for Larger Stores
Opening times will vary depending on your location and the size of the store, making it essential to verify details for your nearest branch. As a general rule, most larger Tesco supermarkets will close earlier than usual on Christmas Eve, with many locations scheduled to shut their doors at 7pm.
All major Tesco stores will remain closed throughout Christmas Day. They will then reopen on Boxing Day, December 26, with reduced hours. Current online checks indicate most larger stores plan to trade from 9am until 6pm on that day.
Standard opening hours resume from Saturday, December 27, and continue through to New Year's Eve. On December 31, larger stores will again close early at 7pm. For New Year's Day, most of the bigger shops checked are slated to open from 9am to 6pm.
Tesco Express Christmas Schedule
The schedule differs for smaller Tesco Express convenience stores. These outlets, which are normally open until 10pm or 11pm, will maintain these later hours as normal on Christmas Eve.
Like their larger counterparts, Express stores will be closed on Christmas Day. They will reopen on Boxing Day, but for shorter hours, typically from 9am until 7pm.
Normal service returns from December 27 and includes New Year's Eve. On New Year's Day, however, most Express stores are expected to open slightly later, at 8am, before closing at their standard time.
New AI Partnership Announced
The festive hours update comes as Tesco announces a significant new three-year deal with French artificial intelligence start-up, Mistral AI. The partnership aims to "better serve" customers and accelerate parts of the business.
Tesco, the first major UK retailer to partner with Mistral AI, will collaborate through a new joint "AI lab." Here, experts from both companies will work on areas including content development, advanced data analysis for new insights, and creating improved ways for staff to access information to assist shoppers.
Ruben Lara, Tesco's Director of Data, Analytics and AI, stated: "Innovation has always been part of Tesco’s DNA, and this agreement builds on our extensive track record in developing new technology and AI solutions, in ways that ultimately benefit our customers, colleagues and suppliers."
The supermarket already utilises AI in various operations, such as optimising delivery routes for online orders to free up more slots and forecasting product availability. It is also being used to enhance personalisation for Tesco Clubcard members.
Customers are strongly advised to use the Tesco store locator online or contact their local branch directly to confirm exact opening times, as variations can occur.
