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Last minute shoppers warned: don't expect longer trading hours this Sunday
Last updated at 12:07pm on 22.12.06
Warning: Sunday's trading hours will remain the same
Large supermarkets will open early for "browsing" on Christmas Eve because of Sunday trading restrictions.
Tesco, Sainsbury's and Asda will let shoppers fill their trolleys for around half an hour before tills open.
Sunday trading laws mean large stores in England and Wales can only sell goods for six continuous hours between 10am and 6pm this Christmas Eve.
Analysts are split over the predicted impact of December 24 falling on a Sunday this year.
Some expect an eleventh hour rush to the shops while others predict a relative lull after a busy Friday and Saturday.
Sainsbury's said its stores were open for between 16 and 18 hours per day in the run-up to Christmas.
"All stores will open 30 mins earlier on Christmas Eve for browsing - usually only a handful of our stores offer this option," a spokeswoman said.
Tesco said Friday and Saturday were expected to be the busiest shopping days this side of Christmas.
Asda predicted a busy Christmas Eve but said the enforced late opening time would give staff more time to ensure shelves were fully stocked.
"Christmas Eve this year will be far more pleasant, so from a customers' perspective 10.30am on Christmas Eve will be a good time to go shopping - but it will still be absolutely rammed," he said.
The My Sunday My Choice campaign for longer Sunday trading hours said many customers would be caught out by the early Christmas Eve closing times.
Its poll of 2,083 adults last week found 48 per cent planned to do last minute shopping on December 24 but many were unaware of supermarket opening hours.
Some high street chains have already started discounting by up to 50 per cent in a bid to tempt in shoppers.
The deadline for ordering goods online in time for first class delivery before Christmas has already passed.
However, Amazon is extending the deadline until 6pm tomorrow for an additional special delivery charge of £8.99.
Small stores which are less than 280 square metres in size are not subject to any Sunday trading restrictions.
