To do a Christmas food shop in person on 23rd?

[LostittoBostik]

I'm hosting Xmas for 6 this year but this is the first time I've hosted without having a food delivery slot booked. This is because we've dropped deliveries in favour of doing a shop ourselves this year as part of drive to save money on our food costs as a family, so I missed things like the Ocado booking slot reminder.
I've never done a Xmas the old fashioned way - going around the shop with a giant trolley.
I'm only doing a large chicken rather than turkey as only 4 of 6 eat meat. Will there be a chicken left to buy on the 23rd in a large superstore? And will things like mince pies be left?
Sorry if I sound quite stupid! The mental load overwhelm is out of control and I'm suddenly having a massive panic attack about it all.

Yes, no restrictions of times to sell or minimum alcohol prices.

Though I do remember as a kid, seeing the booze aisles with barriers up. Can’t remember when this was or what time of the year it was.

Me and DD always do the last xmas shop on either the 23rd or 24th at 6am as soon as the big sainsburys opens. It is always fully stocked and we get in before all the crowds arrive (it opens an hour earlier before xmas and I am not sure everyone realises!)
I slowly stock up on non perishables in the lead up to xmas and things that we really want but might go out of stock that I can put in the freezer.

Never had an issue and normally get pretty much everything. sometimes no satsumas for example but that is more because shops tend to offer horrible easy peelers or tangerines or clementines, none of which are a suitable alternative but that is another issue!

There was a period after Sunday trading was introduced where alcohol sales were banned during certain times. I think it was because alcohol sales are subject to different legislation and it wasn't until alcohol licensing laws were revised that the restriction went away.

I think you couldn't buy alcohol before 12pm.

I realise this may not be the usual way, but I do mine latish Christmas Eve, other than the free range bird that I order from a local farm. The supermarkets shut around 7pm, I get there around 5. Never had an issue getting everything I need, the shelves are often being restocked ready for Boxing Day, and it's usually deserted, no queues. I have a big family two so usually have twenty plus people for Xmas lunch

You'll be able to buy things like chicken and mince pies with no difficulty at all on 23 December.

I have always shopped on 23rd or 24 th depending on working days and never had a problem. I have ordered the turkey and sausage meat for pick up but notice that there are often frozen birds available last minute

I always go in person, my daughter loves to come, we always see people we know and it's quite jolly. I've never had a problem getting anything I want. Go early in the day for a big chicken. I'll be going on 22nd. Christmas Eve is when the big bargains are to be had...

My only advice would be to go really early. M&S at 11am had loads of empty freezers and empty shelves. I got a couple of my essential things taking the last one on the shelf. I know they may be restocking throughout the day, but with staffing levels as they are, I would not risk it.

I did mine yesterday, at 5pm with 2 of my teens. The supermarket was no busier than a normal weekday evening, they had everything i wanted and needed, and i went to an manned till with no queue. Completely stressfree shopping. It was an absolute doddle. I was shocked!

I went to our local Tesco at 05:30 this morning, deserted ! Wonderful !

Went to Aldi at 4 and got mostly everything I needed. Shelves constantly being restocked, poor staff nearly being trampled on, they do a sterling job.

We went to Morrisons yesterday around 2.30 pm and it was fairly quiet. Today we were in Marks around 11 am. Quite busy but not manic. The shelves were full
In both places. This is in Leeds.

Update: I did it, and it was fine.

Now just to survive the family Christmas - which has got off to a horrible, argumentative start 😒