Iceland scraps priority hours for elderly and NHS workers as Tesco extends opening times
ICELAND has scrapped priority hours for elderly shoppers and NHS workers, while Tesco has extended its opening times.
The supermarkets have started changing opening hours as coronavirus restrictions are slowly eased.
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Iceland introduced priority access for elderly and vulnerable shoppers in March for the first hour of opening, and dedicated the final hour of trading to NHS staff.
It came after Brits stockpiled at the beginning of the pandemic, leaving some shoppers without essentials.
But it's now scrapped the priority hours following customer feedback, the supermarket told The Sun.
A statement on its website said the priority period is no longer required as elderly and vulnerable have largely stayed at home and stock levels have normalised.
Meanwhile, Tesco's Express and Metro stores have returned to their usual opening times - typically open between 6am or 7am until 11pm or midnight.
During the coronavirus lockdown, Tesco reduced the opening hours to 6am until 10pm to help staff stock up shelves.
It also started closing its larger 24-hour stores at 10pm for the same reason.
These superstores will stay on reduced hours for now, Tesco told The Sun.
What are the major supermarkets doing?
THE Sun checked in with all the major supermarket chains regarding their priority access and opening hours.
Aldi - The discounter has no plans to change its priority hours, which are currently 30 minutes prior to opening on Sundays for key workers.
It also opens 30 minutes early Monday to Saturday for elderly and vulnerable shoppers.
Asda - The supermarket hasn't yet come back to us so we'll update this article once we hear back.
Co-op - The supermarket hasn't yet come back to us so we'll update this article once we hear back.
Iceland - It has scrapped priority hours for elderly and NHS workers.
Lidl - The discounter hasn't yet come back to us so we'll update this article once we get a response.
M&S - The supermarket hasn't yet come back to us so we'll update this article once we hear back.
Morrisons - It said it has no plans to change its opening hours.
Morrisons currently offers an NHS hour from 7am to 8am Monday to Saturday, and between 8am to 9am on Sundays.
Sainsbury’s - Customers can shop at the supermarket at any time but NHS and care workers still have priority entry from 7.30am to 8am Monday to Saturday.
Elderly, vulnerable and disabled customers also still have priority entry from 8am to 9am Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Tesco - Opening hours of Express and Metro stores have gone back to its longer opening hours, while 24-hour stores will stay on reduced hours for now.
The supermarket currently has now plans to change priority hours, which are currently on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between 9am until 10am.
Waitrose - The posh supermarket still offers a dedicated hour for elderly and vulnerable customers during the first opening hour.
After the first hour of trading, NHS staff and social care workers get priority access to its shops.
Elderly and vulnerable shoppers still also get priority access on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between 9am until 10am.
The Sun has also asked Asda whether it plans to bring back its 24-hours stores, but we haven't heard back yet.
We've rounded up all the major supermarkets' plans above.
A spokesperson for Iceland said: "Iceland is no longer offering priority hours in line with customer feedback, instead offering all customers the flexibility to shop with us at any time of day.
"Our priority hours were initially useful and well received by customers, but we have reviewed each week and taken action as necessary."
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In April, a paramedic slammed Iceland for treating NHS staff like "lepers" as the supermarket said they must buy anything they touch.
A few days later, Asda shoppers were told to "only touch items if you're going to buy them".
Last month, Morrisons extended its 10 per cent discount for NHS staff until September.