ALDI and Sainsbury’s will shut all their UK stores to customers on the day of Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral.
The Queen’s state funeral has been declared a bank holiday and several major retailers have also decided to shut up shop next week, out of respect.
All 967 Aldi stores and 859 Sainsbury’s supermarkets will shut next Monday
B&Q, Poundland and Primark have also confirmed that all their stores will close on Monday.
Primark will close all 191 of its stores.
B&Q will shut 313 stores and Poundland will shut 770 of its shops.
SE has also revealed that four major supermarkets are planning to operate on a reduced hours basis too.
Tesco, Asda, Waitrose and Morrisons are working on plans to close for a limited amount of hours.
Sources told SE that large supermarkets will shut roughly between the hours of 10am and 2pm.
Aldi posted on its Twitter page this afternoon to let customers know that stores would be shut.
Aldi’s post read: “Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II – As a mark of respect, all Aldi stores across the UK will close on Monday, September 19 to allow our store colleagues to pay tribute to Her Majesty The Queen.
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.
“This includes Groceries Online and Argos Fast Track delivery. Our convenience stores and petrol filling stations will be open from 5pm-10pm to allow our customers to pick up essential items, while select stores in central London will open to serve those attending the funeral in person. We thank our customers for their understanding.”
The Queen’s funeral will take place on Monday, September 19 at Westminster Abbey at 11am.
Aldi, B&Q, Poundland, Primark and Sainsbury’s aren’t the only retailers to close next Monday.
It is thought that Marks & Spencer will close its clothing stores for the day, and stores with both food and clothing sections will operate on a reduced hours basis.
John Lewis Partnership will close 321 Waitrose stores, and all 34 of its department stores.
Retailers are “taking their lead” from the Government over whether or not to close, a British Retail Consortium spokesperson said.
Meanwhile, it will be up to pubs and restaurants as to whether they close during the nation’s period of mourning.
The day after the Queen’s death was announced department stores Selfridges and Liberty closed their doors and had the Union Jack flags outside their building at half mast.
King Charles gave his approval to make the Queen’s funeral a bank holiday.