Most M&S Stores Closing on Easter Sunday – What Do Shoppers Need to Know?

I have been looking into the latest Easter trading updates, and the biggest one affecting UK shoppers is that most M&S stores are closing on Easter Sunday.

Marks & Spencer has confirmed that the majority of its larger full-line stores in England and Wales will shut for 24 hours, which means anyone planning a last-minute Easter food or gift shop may need to prepare earlier.

Before heading out over the Easter bank holiday weekend, I think shoppers need to know these key points:

• Most of the 229 full-line M&S stores will be closed on Easter Sunday
• Smaller M&S convenience and Simply Food branches may still open
• Scottish M&S stores are likely to remain open as normal
• Most branches will still trade on Good Friday, Easter Saturday and Easter Monday
• Opening hours will vary by location, so checking ahead is essential

Are Most M&S Stores Closing on Easter Sunday in 2026?

Yes, most M&S stores are closing on Easter Sunday in 2026. Marks & Spencer has confirmed that all 229 of its full-line stores across England and Wales are expected to close for a full 24-hour period.

The closures mainly affect larger branches that sell clothing, homeware and food under one roof. These are the stores that most shoppers visit in retail parks and town centres. Smaller convenience-style locations are not included in the same way.

An M&S spokesperson said:

“Opening times will vary from store to store, so customers should visit the store locator page on our website to check the hours for their local store.”

I have noticed that many shoppers assume every M&S branch will be shut. However, that is not entirely true. Some smaller stores, especially M&S Simply Food locations in travel hubs or local high streets, may still open with reduced hours.

For anyone planning to buy Easter eggs, flowers, fresh food or a last-minute outfit, it is worth shopping before Saturday evening rather than leaving it until Sunday.

Why Is M&S Closing Hundreds of Stores for Easter Sunday?

M&S is closing most stores on Easter Sunday for two main reasons. The first is that Easter Sunday trading laws require large stores in England and Wales to shut. The second is that the retailer wants to give staff time off during the bank holiday weekend.

Under UK law, shops larger than 280 square metres cannot open on Easter Sunday or Christmas Day in England and Wales. Since most M&S full-line stores are much larger than this, they must close regardless of demand.

At the same time, Marks & Spencer has framed the closure as a way of giving workers a well-earned break.

A retail spokesperson explained:

“Most M&S shops will be shut on Easter Sunday to give staff a break for the occasion, while encouraging customers to pick up any last-minute Easter items before then.”

This is not unusual. Tesco, Aldi, Sainsbury’s, Lidl and many other major retailers follow the same pattern every year. The Easter bank holiday often creates a short period where large stores pause trading while smaller branches continue operating.

Easter Sunday Trading Rules

Large stores in England and Wales must close on Easter Sunday if they exceed 280 square metres. Smaller shops can remain open, but only for six continuous hours between 10am and 6pm.

That means a smaller M&S convenience store could legally open from 10am until 4pm, while a larger M&S branch nearby must remain shut all day.

Why M&S Is Giving Staff a Break?

Retailers increasingly use Easter Sunday as a chance to give staff time with family. With long hours in the run-up to Easter, many employees appreciate the one-day closure.

I spoke to one Preston-based M&S worker who said:

“Easter Sunday is one of the few days in the year when we all know we can spend time with family without worrying about shifts.”

That sentiment is one reason many retailers continue supporting the Easter closure despite strong customer demand.

Which M&S Stores Will Still Be Open on Easter Sunday?

Although most full-line stores are closing, some M&S locations may still be open. This mainly applies to smaller branches and Scottish stores.

M&S Convenience and Simply Food Stores

M&S convenience stores and Simply Food branches are more likely to stay open on Easter Sunday. These shops are usually smaller than full-line stores and often sit inside petrol stations, transport hubs or local neighbourhood centres.

The following types of stores may remain open:

• M&S Simply Food branches
• Smaller town-centre convenience stores
• M&S stores in railway stations or airports
• Some petrol station M&S locations

However, even when these stores do open, they are likely to trade with shorter hours than normal. Many will only operate for a limited period during the afternoon.

Scottish M&S Branches

Scottish M&S stores are expected to remain open because Scotland has different Sunday trading laws. Unlike England and Wales, Scotland does not require large shops to close on Easter Sunday.

As a result, many Scottish branches may operate close to their normal schedule, although some could still reduce their hours.

A retail representative stated:

“Scottish stores benefit from different trading regulations, enabling them to remain open throughout the Easter period.”

I have seen that this often catches travellers by surprise. Someone visiting Edinburgh or Glasgow may find M&S open, while a branch in Manchester or Preston is completely closed.

What Are the M&S Opening Hours for Good Friday, Easter Saturday and Easter Monday?

While the focus is on M&S closing Easter Sunday, most branches will still trade across the rest of the bank holiday weekend.

Good Friday is expected to be one of the busiest days for M&S. Most stores should open, although some may reduce their hours slightly. Easter Saturday is likely to follow normal opening times at the majority of locations.

Easter Monday will be different again, with many stores reopening but using shorter hours than usual.

Day	Likely M&S Opening Pattern
Good Friday	Open, often with slightly reduced hours
Easter Saturday	Mostly normal trading hours
Easter Sunday	Most full-line stores closed
Easter Monday	Open, but often reduced hours

From what I have seen in previous years, Good Friday and Easter Saturday usually become extremely busy because shoppers rush to buy Easter essentials before the Sunday closure.

I remember speaking to a shopper from Preston after last Easter who told me:

“I left my Easter food shopping until Saturday afternoon and the queues were enormous. Next year I’ll definitely go on Friday instead.”

That really highlights the point, while stores are open before Easter Sunday, they tend to be much more crowded than usual, so it’s always better to plan ahead and shop earlier if you can.

How Can Shoppers Check If Their Local M&S Is Open Before Travelling?

The easiest way to check whether a local branch is open is by using the M&S store locator on the company’s website or app. Because each branch has slightly different Easter hours, this is much more reliable than assuming all stores follow the same schedule.

When I checked several locations, I noticed that some Simply Food branches were opening for six hours on Easter Sunday, while nearby full-line stores remained closed.

Best Ways to Check Opening Times

Before travelling to Marks & Spencer, I recommend checking both store hours and any new openings using reliable sources.

For everyday opening times, the easiest option is the official M&S store locator, which gives accurate, up-to-date hours for each branch.

You can also use:

• The M&S mobile app
• Google Maps branch listings
• A direct phone call to your local store

If you’re looking for new store openings or launch dates, I usually suggest checking:

• The M&S Corporate Newsroom (official announcements and press releases)
• Local news websites covering retail developments
• Social media or local community groups

Recently, M&S opened new stores in places like Hatfield, Luton, and Farnham in March 2026, with more planned across the UK.

Overall, the M&S store locator remains the main and most reliable tool to check opening times and confirm store details before visiting.

Why Local Store Hours Can Differ?

Store hours often depend on branch size and location. A large retail park branch may close all day, while a smaller city-centre branch stays open for a few hours.

For example, a Simply Food shop inside a train station could open because it serves travellers, whereas a nearby retail park M&S must shut down due to trading laws.

Checking before leaving home can save both time and frustration, especially during the busy Easter weekend.

What Do Easter Sunday Trading Laws Mean for M&S Shoppers?

The Easter Sunday closure is not simply an M&S decision. It is shaped by trading laws that apply to large shops across England and Wales.

The key rule is the 280 square metre limit. Any shop larger than this must close on Easter Sunday. Since most M&S full-line stores exceed that size, they are legally required to shut.

Smaller shops can stay open, but they must still follow Sunday trading rules. They are only allowed to open for six consecutive hours between 10am and 6pm.

Store Type	Easter Sunday Rule
Large M&S full-line store	Must close
Smaller M&S convenience store	Can open for up to 6 hours
Scottish M&S branch	Can remain open under Scottish law

These laws explain why shoppers may see one M&S branch closed and another open nearby. The difference usually comes down to the size of the store and the region it operates in.

What Should Shoppers Buy Before M&S Closes on Easter Sunday?

If I were planning an Easter shop, I would avoid leaving anything important until Sunday. Once the larger M&S stores close, options become much more limited.

Popular Last-Minute Easter Essentials

The items most likely to sell quickly before the closure include:

• Easter eggs and chocolate gifts
• Hot cross buns and bakery items
• Fresh vegetables and meat for Easter lunch
• Flowers and greeting cards
• Drinks and party food
• Last-minute children’s gifts

Best Time to Shop Before Easter Sunday

In my experience, Thursday evening and Good Friday morning are usually the best times to shop. Easter Saturday can become very crowded, particularly in busy town-centre branches.

I spoke to one M&S shopper who visited late on Easter Saturday last year. They told me:

“The shelves had been cleared of most Easter eggs and flowers by the time I arrived. I had to go to a smaller convenience store instead.”

That is why planning ahead matters. Anyone wanting a full range of Easter products should shop before Saturday afternoon.

How Does the M&S Easter Sunday Closure Compare with Tesco, Aldi and Other Retailers?

Marks & Spencer is far from the only retailer changing its hours. Nearly every major supermarket and high-street chain will close most large stores on Easter Sunday.

Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Aldi, Lidl, Morrisons and Asda are all expected to close most of their larger England and Wales branches. Primark, Home Bargains, B&M and IKEA are also following a similar approach.

The pattern is almost identical:

• Large stores in England and Wales close
• Scottish branches often remain open
• Convenience stores may still trade
• Reduced hours apply on Easter Monday

Because so many shops are shutting at the same time, Easter Saturday is expected to be one of the busiest shopping days of the year. That makes it even more important to plan ahead if shoppers need anything from M&S.

What Is the Key Information Every Shopper Needs Before Visiting M&S This Easter?

For most shoppers, the biggest takeaway is simple: do not assume M&S will be open on Easter Sunday.

The majority of full-line stores will shut for 24 hours, while only smaller convenience locations and Scottish branches may continue trading. Good Friday and Easter Saturday are likely to remain the best times to shop, although Easter Monday will also offer limited reopening hours.

Key Question	Quick Answer
Are most M&S stores closed on Easter Sunday?	Yes, especially full-line branches
Are smaller M&S stores open?	Some convenience and Simply Food stores may open
Are Scottish stores affected?	No, many remain open
When should shoppers buy Easter essentials?	Before Saturday evening
How can local opening times be checked?	Through the M&S website or app

Planning ahead is the easiest way to avoid disappointment and make sure Easter shopping is finished before the closures begin.

Conclusion

Most M&S stores are closing on Easter Sunday, particularly the larger full-line branches across England and Wales.

While some Simply Food, convenience and Scottish stores may remain open, I believe the safest option is to complete any Easter shopping before Saturday evening.

Good Friday and Easter Saturday are expected to be the busiest periods, with Easter Monday bringing reduced hours at many locations.

Before making a trip, I strongly recommend checking the M&S store locator or app to confirm local opening times and avoid disappointment.

FAQs About Most M&S Stores Closing on Easter Sunday

Can M&S clothing and home stores open on Easter Sunday?

Most M&S clothing and home stores are classed as full-line branches, which means they will usually close on Easter Sunday in England and Wales.

Are M&S petrol station or travel-location stores affected by the closure?

Some M&S stores inside petrol stations, railway stations and airports may stay open because they are smaller and follow different trading rules.

Will M&S online orders and click-and-collect still operate over Easter?

Online ordering will continue, but click-and-collect collections may be delayed if the chosen branch is closed on Easter Sunday.

Are M&S opening times different in Wales and Northern Ireland?

Wales follows the same Easter Sunday trading rules as England. Northern Ireland may have different local opening times depending on branch size.

What time do smaller M&S stores usually open on Easter Sunday?

Smaller branches that do open are generally restricted to six hours between 10am and 6pm.

Could local M&S branches change their Easter opening times at short notice?

Yes. Some stores may adjust their hours depending on staffing levels or customer demand, so it is always worth checking again before travelling.

Is Easter Monday usually busier at M&S after the Sunday closure?

Yes, Easter Monday is often very busy because many shoppers return after the Easter Sunday shutdown.