Morrisons and Asda join Tesco, Sainsbury’s, M&S, Co-op, Aldi, Asda, Lidl and Waitrose in confirming store closures on the day of Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral, taking place on Monday 19 September 2022.
All Big 4 grocers – Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda and Aldi – have now said they will close their larger stores for the day.
Commenting on the closure, an Asda spokesperson confirmed all Asda stores will be closed on Monday 19 September until 5pm to allow “customers and colleagues to recognise the passing of our late Monarch and commemorate her steadfast service to our nation”.
“All our stores will close by midnight on Sunday, 18 September and reopen at 5pm on Monday, 19 September.”
They added: “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.”
Morrisons has said that all its supermarkets will be closed throughout Monday 19 September as a mark of respect and so colleagues can pay tribute to Her Majesty. At 5pm its petrol filling stations will reopen.
Tesco’s Express stores will also open at 5pm, except for a small number of stores in Central London and Windsor, which will be open throughout the day to cater for those attending the funeral.
Tesco has also cancelled the delivery of all online orders on the day of the funeral.
“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,” Tesco UK CEO Jason Tarry said.
“On Monday 19 September, in order for our colleagues to pay their respects, our large stores will be closed all day and our Express stores will remain closed until 5pm.”
Sainsbury’s convenience stores and petrol filling stations will also be open from 5pm-10pm, while select stores in Central London will open to help those attending the funeral.
A Sainsbury’s spokesperson 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.”
M&S CEO Stuart Machin said: “It is right that we make changes to our operational arrangements on the day of the funeral to ensure our colleagues across our stores and distribution network can participate, whilst supporting customers as they show their respects too.
“That’s why on Monday 19 September we will cease customer delivery services and close M&S-owned stores in the UK for the entire day, with some limited exceptions in London and Windsor, which will close for the duration of the service.”
In a statement, the frozen food retailer Iceland said: “As a mark of respect to Her Majesty the Queen and to allow colleagues to mourn in their own way, Iceland has made the decision to close all of its stores on Monday 19th September 2022.”
Meanwhile, discounters Aldi and Lidl announced they will both close all stores on the day.
In a statement, a spokesperson for Lidl confirmed the closure as a “mark of respect and in honour of Queen Elizabeth II, we will be closing all of our stores across England, Scotland and Wales for the day of Her Majesty’s funeral, Monday 19 September.
“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.”
Rival Aldi announced the move via its social media page.
— Aldi Stores UK (@AldiUK) September 12, 2022
Symbol group retailer The Co-op also confirmed the closure of its stores.
CEO Shirine Khoury-Haq said: “We are deeply saddened by the death of Her Majesty the Queen. As a mark of respect and to give our colleagues, customers and members time to reflect and mourn, we will be closing our stores.”
Stores will be closed until 5pm, when they will reopen to serve our customers and communities, a number of stores within central London and towards Windsor will remain open during the day to serve the many thousands of customers who will be in the capital to be part of the funeral.
Online orders and deliveries will be closed for the day, re-starting at 5pm, the symbol group retailer said.
Online-only grocer Ocado has also cancelled all deliveries on Monday as a “mark of respect” on the day.
In a statement, Ocado said: “We are deeply saddened by the death of Her Majesty The Queen.
“As a mark of respect, Ocado will be closed for deliveries on 19th September so all our colleagues can pay their respects on this day of national mourning.”
