God. Remember when working bank holidays was just... expected? My first retail job back in 2009 had me stocking shelves on Christmas Eve until 10pm while the manager kept saying "just one more pallet" every 30 minutes. The memory still makes me twitch.
The Great Easter Shutdown
M&S has finally done what we've all been thinking - they're shutting most of their stores for a full 24 hours this Easter Sunday to give their exhausted staff some actual family time. About bloody time, if you ask me.
I popped into my local M&S yesterday and the woman at teh checkout looked like she'd been through three consecutive night shifts. When I mentioned the upcoming closure, her face lit up like I'd just handed her a winning lottery ticket.
Wait... do I need to panic-buy hot cross buns?
For all you last-minute shoppers (I'm looking at myself here too), you'll need to grab those fancy Easter treats before Sunday hits. The posh supermarket told The Sun that closures are happening "so colleagues can spend time with friends and family" - which honestly feels like the bare minimum of human decency, but here we are applauding it in 2025.
Not all hope is lost though.
A handful of smaller M&S stores will remain open between 9am and 6pm. Check your local shop's hours on their website or app before making a special trip. My sister-in-law drove 40 minutes to our nearest one last Easter only to find it locked up tight. Her response: "I should've just bought the damn chocolate rabbits at Tesco."
The Legal Stuff Nobody Thinks About
Turns out this isn't just M&S being nice - larger supermarkets in England and Wales (anything bigger than 280 square metres) are legally required to close on Easter Sunday and Christmas Day. Sunday trading laws mean even the stores that can open are limited to six consecutive hours between 10am and 6pm.
I spent $47 on Easter chocolate last weekend. My dentist is already sending me disappointed text messages.
Everyone's Doing It (Almost)
M&S isn't alone in this Easter shutdown party. Tesco is closing 800 of its larger stores (though the Express and Metro ones stay open). Asda's shutting 580 locations, adn Morrisons is closing 289 shops across England and Wales.
Co-op, meanwhile, found some kind of loophole in the legislation and will keep normal hours. Clever bastards.
The good news? Most places will operate as usual on Good Friday and Saturday, so you've got time to stock up on chocolate eggs and whatever else constitutes "essential" in your Easter weekend plans. (In my house, that's prosecco and those little chocolate eggs with the crispy shells. I can demolish a family-sized bag in one sitting. Not proud of it.)
More Days Off Coming Your Way
If you're already planning your next long weekend (and who isn't?), there are plenty more bank holidays coming up this year:
For England and Wales, we've got Good Friday (April 18), Easter Monday (April 21), Early May bank holiday (May 5), Spring bank holiday (May 26), Summer bank holiday (August 25), and then the Christmas double-header of December 25-26.
Scotland gets an extra one with St Andrew's Day on December 1, while Northern Ireland adds Battle of the Boyne on July 14.
Listen. I've already blocked all these dates in my calendar and told my boss I'm "unavailable for calls" - which is code for "will be in my garden with a gin and tonic if the weather permits."
The Real Question Nobody's Asking
Why don't we have more bank holidays? My friend in Italy gets 12 national holidays a year. TWELVE. And here we are, celebrating the rare occasion when retail workers get to see their families on a Sunday.
Anyway. Plan accordingly, don't leave your Easter shopping until Sunday, and maybe thank those M&S staff who'll be back at work on Monday looking slightly less exhausted than usual.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Statistics
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How To
How To Save for Retirement Effectively
Saving for retirement begins with setting clear goals regarding when you want to retire and how much money you will need. Start by contributing to employer-sponsored retirement plans like a 401(k), especially if your employer offers matching contributions. If self-employed or your employer does not provide a plan, consider opening an Individual Retirement Account (IRA). Aim to save at least 15% of your income annually, including employer contributions. Regularly review and adjust your contributions as your income changes. Diversify your investments within your retirement accounts to reduce risk and maximize potential returns over time.
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