SUPERMARKETS and shops are among the retailers that will be closing their doors on the day of Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral.
The longest-reigning British monarch died on Thursday, Buckingham Palace announced.
Are shops open today?
Her Majesty’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.
We list all the stores that will be closing their doors on Monday, September 19, or will be reducing their hours.
Aldi
Aldi will shut all its UK stores to customers on the day of Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral.
The budget supermarket posted on its Twitter page this afternoon to let customers know that stores would be shut.
The 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.”
Sainsbury’s and Argos
Sainsbury’s and Argos will shut all its UK stores to customers on the day of Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral.
The supermarket giant confirmed in a statement it will close its doors on Monday, September 19.
A spokesman 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 will also include groceries online and Argos fast track delivery.
Sainsbury’s said its convenience stores and petrol filling stations will be open from 5pm-10pm to allow our customers to pick up essential items.
Select stores in central London will also be open to serve those attending the funeral in person.
Primark
Primark will close all its shops next Monday for the Queen’s funeral.
All of the high street giant’s 191 stores will be closed on Monday, September 19, as a mark of respect.
Poundland
All 770 Poundland stores will shut to customers on Monday.
It means staff of both retailers will be able to watch the Queen’s funeral on television.
A spokesperson for Poundland said: “We know how important it is that colleagues have the opportunity to join with their families and pay their respects on the day the funeral takes place.
“Any colleagues who were scheduled to work on 19 September, will receive their scheduled pay in full.”
Marks and Spencer
Marks & Spencer is said to still finalising plans, but it is thought that clothing stores will shut for the full day while mixed food and clothing stores will have scaled back operations and reduced hours.
B&Q
Hardware giant B&Q is also closing all of its store.
A B&Q spokesperson said: “As a mark of respect for the State Funeral for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, and to offer our colleagues the opportunity to pay their respects, we have taken the decision to close all our UK stores on Monday 19 September.
“Our click and collect and home delivery services will also be temporarily suspended on the day.”
Tesco, Asda, Waitrose and Morrisons
Tesco, Asda, Waitrose and Morrisons are finalising details to close their stores or reduce opening hours, sources told The Celeb Report.
It is thought that large supermarkets will shut roughly between the hours of 10am and 2pm.
However, smaller convenience stores will remain open, in part to ensure that the thousands of people expected to gather to watch the funeral will be able to buy water and food for the day.
Are shops closed today?
Shops do not have to close today, but some may choose to do so out of respect.
Some retailers may choose to operate reduced hours too.
Selfridges closed its stores in London, Manchester and Birmingham on Friday but reopened them for the weekend.
French Connection, which runs 26 shops across the UK, also closed their stores on Friday following the death of the Queen.
A spokesman said: “Following the sad news of the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, we will close the doors of all our French Connection stores on Friday September 9.
“Our thoughts are with the royal family at this time.”
Some French Connection stores may be open again today for the weekend – it’s best to call up your nearest one first to check.
Historic London department store Liberty was among the first to confirm it would not open on Friday.
The Soho-based retailer said: “Our heartfelt sympathy and thoughts are with the royal family at this sad time.”
Liberty stores reopened again on Saturday.
But most other high street retailers are operating as normal.
The national mourning guidance, published on Friday, highlights that firms are not expected to halt operations.
It says: “There is no obligation on organisations to suspend business during the national mourning period.
“Depending on the nature and location of their business and the tone of planned events, some businesses may wish to consider closing or postponing events, especially on the day of the state funeral, however this is at the discretion of individual businesses.”
