What is the quietest time to go to a supermarket in the current climate?

[SlinkyDogg]

Not too fussed about getting everything I want but just want to avoid people.
I'm not elderly or NHS etc.
Thanks

I was going an hour before closing but now many shops have reduced hours which will make them even busier! I suspect given a few days both early and late times will be quiet but would still go as late as possible for now

Yes I’d be interested to hear peoples’ thoughts on this. I need to do our weekly shop on Friday. I wonder if it’s best to go to a big Tesco Extra or if somewhere smaller like Lidl/Aldi would be better. I haven’t stocked up so do actually need things (loo roll and sanitary products). Am flexible and just want to cause as little fuss and disruption for key workers and the vulnerable as there are no home delivery or click and collect slots available.

@FashionFoodLaughs if my town is anything to go by, head to Aldi. People are going to the big Asda and Tesco Extra, presumably thinking they will be better stocked. I went to Aldi last week and it was quieter, and they had everything bar toilet roll and pasta.

I'll probably try and stick to my local Sainsbury's as it's very close, not too big and I know exactly where everything is.

Our nearest Waitrose is only allowing so many customers in at a time, so that's good.

I went into my Tesco Express last night about 9pm (they are still open to 10pm) and it was empty.

They even had some fresh fruit and veg on the shelves, although had run out of milk (but I didn't want any, just had a chocolate craving!)

I went about 11.30. They were only letting 30 people in at a time. Shelves were full.

Mid afternoon, between lunch and end of work for people who still go. I've found about 14:00 to be a good time, the shelves have been mostly restocked from the morning rush and not many people around.

Govt guidance is that all shops must carry out queue control and let only a few people in at a time. The shops must not be crowded it states thought what is meant by that I don't know. They must also ensure distancing, eg. 2 m marked out between staff and customer at till.

So if you go anywhere not doing this I would tell them about the guidance.

I went at 6pm to Morrison’s and it was very quiet. Not a lot left but plenty of meat, milk and bread and enough of other things that you could cobble together a weekly shop

My DD works in a large supermarket, she say half an hour before closing is usually very quiet. Watch out for recent changes in closing times though. Our local has changed from 10pm to 8pm closing from yesterday.

Waitrose was trollies only and they had a certain amount. Once those were used then no more people in. As the trollies were freed up the other end the handles were cleaned and given to the next customer.
Every other manned till was open and every other serve yourself checkout to allow space. Card payments strongly encouraged.

Last week At aldi (I work there) if you went Wednesday/Thursday it was busy all day, Friday was quiet from 5pm-8pm (when we shut) and Saturday was quiet between 4-7pm then everyone decided to come a few minutes before we shut! Can’t tell you this week because I’m off for being high risk

I was in around 5 today and they had announcements to request people start coming in later at night where possible. I'm going to go just before closing next time. I'm OK for about a week though.

I went to Morrisons about 5.30 tonight when Dh came home so he could watch the dc. There was not much meat, no hand soap or pasta but otherwise ok and quiet.

I’ve been to a large Asda twice since Sunday
9am today
12.30 yesterday to get a prescription for my dad
Both times I was really pleasantly surprised at how quiet it was . No mad queue pretty much everything in stock had a rule about max of three items apart from toilet roll which was only one pack
Had lines on the floor to indicate where to stand and queue
All tills were open and all the staff seemed happy to chat
I think for some reasons Tescos gets the crazy crowds

I've been out shopping for family and neighbours - I went at about 6:30pm and the shops were quiet and reasonably well-stocked (Lidl and Morrisons).

I went at 5 after work and it was very quiet. Stock was limited in Tesco, but Aldi 2 mins away had everything except pasta.

My wife went today at 2ish and Sainsburys were only letting a limited number in so it was quite calm inside. Reasonably well stocked.