Some of the UK's biggest supermarkets, including Waitrose, Tesco and Morrisons, are set to reduce their operating hours next week to mark the Queen's funeral.
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II passed away last week at Balmoral Castle in Scotland and her funeral is set to take place next week at 11am on Monday, September 19.
Her passing marked the end of her 70 year long reign, the longest ever for a British monarch, and will see a 17 day mourning period that will last until September 26 - one week after her funeral.
The late monarch's funeral has been declared as a bank holiday by King Charles III which has led to many people wondering what this could possibly mean for supermarkets and their opening times.
Here is what the bank holiday means for supermarket opening hours across Scotland during the Queen's funeral next Monday, September 19.
Will supermarkets be closed to mark the Queen's funeral?
It has been revealed that the likes of Asda, Morrisons, Sainsbury's and Tesco will be closing their doors for either the full day, or a few hours during the Queen's funeral. Some have chosen to give colleagues the full day off, while others will be reopening at around 5pm to give colleagues and customers the chance to watch the funeral.
Waitrose and John Lewis will be closing the doors to both branches for the entire day of the Queen's funeral. A spokesperson for John Lewis partnership, which owns both brands, has said that they will keep a handful of food shops along the funeral route open.
Aldi have also confirmed that they will be closing the doors to all of their store branches on Monday to allow their staff and customers to pay their respects to the Queen.
Rival budget supermarket Lidl will also be closing their doors to all branches in Scotland, England and Wales on Monday as mark of respect to the Queen.
Tesco has said that larger stores will be closed during the funeral while the smaller Express stores will be closed until 5pm to give colleagues the chance to mourn.
M&S will also be remaining closed and they have confirmed that they will be halting their deliveries during the Queen's funeral next week.
Asda has confirmed that they will only be closing their doors until 5pm to allow staff members and customers to watch the funeral. The Big Four grocer will also not be offering online deliveries on Monday, September 19. Their stores will close at midnight on Sunday, September 18, before reopening at 5pm on Monday, September 19.
Supermarkets are not the only retailer to change their operating hours for the Queen's funeral, as fast-fashion chain Primark has also revealed that all stores across Scotland and the UK will be closed as a mark of respect.
Are supermarkets and shops required to close?
Official government guidelines means that supermarkets and shops are not required by law to close on a bank holiday, though they can reduce their hours.
Shops have been under no obligation to close for the Queen's funeral next Monday, but many have made the decision as a sign of respect for the late monarch.
The latest official government guidance states: "This is a matter for discussion between individuals and their employer. There is no statutory entitlement to time off for bank holidays, but employers may include bank holidays as part of a worker’s leave entitlement.
The government cannot interfere in existing contractual arrangements between employers and workers. However, we would expect that many workers will be able to take the day off on the bank holiday. We also expect employers to respond sensitively to requests from workers who wish to take the day of the funeral off work."
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