Christmas Eve shoppers warned over Sunday hours

Families urged to avoid late dash for food and gifts after big retailers say they will shut as early as 4pm

‘A lot of money will be spent on Christmas Day. Shoppers want to ensure they get the best deals’

FAMILIES are being warned to avoid Christmas Eve shopping this year because retailers will be observing the usual Sunday hours and closing early. Shoppers hoping to stock up at the last minute are likely to face disappointment after Britain’s biggest retailers such as Sainsbury’s and Tesco warned they would be shutting their doors as early as 4pm.

As Christmas Eve falls on a Sunday shops will open late and close early, with a trading day around half as long as other days of the week.

It means shops are likely to be even busier and more chaotic than usual with long queues expected in stores across the country. Big branches of Sainsbury’s will open from 11am to 5pm, while large Tesco stores will open at 10am and shut at 4pm.

Shoppers caught out by the earlier than usual closing times on Christmas Eve may be partially rescued by small convenience stores on Christmas Day, according to experts at the Centre for Retail Research.

Spending on the 25th is on course to pass £105 million, with 1.5 million shoppers expected to visit a record number of convenience stores and garages.

The centre predicted bumper trade for last-minute food and gifts as a result of early closing at the bigger retailers.

Meanwhile, online shoppers hoping to pick up a bargain on Christmas Eve may be in luck.

Retailers such as Amazon, Debenhams and John Lewis are among those preparing to launch New Year internet sales on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, reducing prices by up to 66 per cent.

The Bishop of Chelmsford, the Rt Rev Stephen Cottrell, has called for a ban on Christmas Day sales, which he said could tempt people away from celebrating the birth of Jesus with family and friends.

Spending online on Christmas Day is expected to peak at 10am, as cash gifts and vouchers are opened, and at 6pm before big evening TV shows. Consumer electronics will be popular purchases, analysts say.

Prof Joshua Bamfield, of the Centre for Retail Research, said: “More small shops than ever will open on Christmas Day. Shoppers will call in for last-minute gifts and food they forgot to buy.”

Richard Perks, director of retail at Mintel, said: “A lot of money will be spent by a lot of people on Christmas Day. Shoppers want to ensure they get the best deals as soon as they are available – and shopping by mobile makes it easy for them to do so.”