The holiday season is rapidly approaching, and with it comes the annual rush to secure those coveted Christmas grocery delivery slots. Supermarkets across the UK are beginning to unveil their booking schedules, allowing savvy shoppers to plan their festive feasts well in advance. Securing these slots is crucial, ensuring you can relax and enjoy the holiday season without last-minute scrambles for essential ingredients.
Marks & Spencer is already accepting orders for its "Food to Order" range, with delivery slots commencing on December 22nd. This provides a welcome opportunity for those seeking to get organized early. This option allows customers to pre-order and pay for their Christmas dinner staples and other festive treats, scheduling collection closer to the big day – a convenient way to manage the Christmas rush.
Ocado, the online grocery giant, has opened its Christmas delivery bookings for "Smart Pass" customers who subscribed on or before September 1, 2025. This early access is a perk for loyal customers, offering them a head start in securing their preferred delivery times. Other customers should keep an eye out for an announcement regarding the general opening date.
Asda is also in the festive spirit, announcing that Delivery Pass holders could begin booking their Christmas delivery slots from October 14th. This prioritizes their subscription customers. For all other Asda customers, festive delivery slot bookings opened on October 20th, offering ample time for planning your holiday grocery needs.
A delivery pass, offered by many supermarkets, represents a subscription service enabling customers to place multiple orders without incurring individual delivery charges each time. These passes are often available through monthly or annual payment plans, presenting a potentially cost-effective solution for frequent online grocery shoppers. These passes often come with additional perks, such as priority access to delivery slots, which can be invaluable during peak periods like Christmas.
Asda's delivery pass starts at £3.95 per month, offering a range of benefits alongside priority slot access, including next-day delivery options. This can be a worthwhile investment if you anticipate making multiple online grocery orders throughout the year. Be sure to assess your shopping habits to determine if a delivery pass aligns with your needs.
It's important to note that Asda has a minimum online spend requirement of £40 for delivery and £25 for click and collect orders. This threshold ensures the economic viability of their delivery services. Keep this minimum in mind when planning your grocery orders.
Asda has announced that over one million home delivery and click-and-collect slots will be available in the week leading up to Christmas. This demonstrates the supermarket's commitment to meeting the high demand during this festive period. Availability is key when it comes to Christmas groceries.
Adding to the convenience, shoppers can modify their basket contents until 11 pm the night before their scheduled delivery or collection. This flexibility allows for last-minute adjustments and ensures you have everything you need for your Christmas celebrations. This kind of flexibility is a boon for busy shoppers.
To secure an early booking with Asda, becoming a Delivery Pass customer is essential. You can sign up for a pass via Asda's online website: https://groceries.asda.com/delivery-pass. The process is straightforward, requiring an Asda grocery account and immediate payment to activate the pass.
To sign up, you’ll need an existing Asda grocery account. Once payment is processed, the pass becomes active immediately, enabling you to take advantage of its benefits. Asda also limits the use of a delivery pass to once per day. This prevents misuse of the subscription service and ensures fair access for all customers.
Asda offers various Delivery Pass options, including an anytime 12-month pass, priced at £6.95 per month, and a midweek pass for £3.95 per month. Alternatively, one-off payments can be made for an anytime 12-month pass at £69.50 or a midweek 12-month pass at £39.50. Consider your shopping frequency and delivery needs to determine the most economical option for you.
Delivery Pass perks encompass next-day delivery, recurring booking slots, priority access to delivery slots, and free next-day collection on click and collect orders. These benefits significantly enhance the online grocery shopping experience, especially during peak periods. Think carefully about which perks are most useful to your household.
While Asda and M&S are off to an early start, many shoppers are curious about when other supermarkets will launch their Christmas delivery slot bookings. Last year, Tesco launched its slots on November 5th for annual delivery pass customers. These pass holders had a one-week advantage over regular shoppers, who had to wait until November 12th.
Sainsbury's has yet to announce their slot availability for this year, but last year it was expected around October 23rd for Delivery Pass customers. These dates provide a reference point for anticipating this year's announcement. Keep a close eye on Sainsbury’s website and social media channels for official updates.
Morrisons is finalizing its plans and is expected to announce its slots soon. Historically, Morrisons allowed Delivery Pass customers to book slots from October 2nd last year, with general access opening on October 9th. Be sure to check back frequently for the latest information.
Delivery passes are available across various supermarket chains, offering shoppers the flexibility to shop online without paying for delivery on every order. This can be especially beneficial for regular online grocery shoppers. Shoppers typically have the choice between an anytime (seven-day) pass or a midweek (Tuesday-Thursday) pass, catering to different shopping patterns.
Beyond strategic delivery slot booking, there are numerous ways to save money on your supermarket shop, especially in the lead-up to Christmas. Looking out for yellow or red stickers on products indicating price reductions is a great way to snag bargains. Remember, if purchasing fresh food with reduced prices, consume it quickly or freeze it for later use.
Creating a shopping list is an effective strategy for staying within budget and avoiding impulse purchases. A well-defined list keeps you focused on essential items and reduces the temptation to add unnecessary extras to your basket. Sticking to a list is especially helpful when navigating the enticing aisles of a supermarket.
Opting for own-brand products can significantly reduce your grocery bill. Ditching "finest" or "luxury" items in favor of "own" or "value" lines can save you hundreds of pounds annually. Often, the quality difference is negligible, making own-brand products a smart choice for budget-conscious shoppers.
Many supermarkets offer "wonky" or imperfect fruit and vegetable schemes, providing discounted prices on produce that may be misshapen or cosmetically flawed. These programs offer excellent value and help reduce food waste. Lidl, for example, runs its "Waste Not" scheme, offering boxes of 5kg of fruit and vegetables for just £1.50.
For low-income parents, the Healthy Start scheme provides vouchers that can be used at supermarkets. Eligible families may receive up to £442 a year in vouchers. Check your eligibility and take advantage of this valuable support program. Plus, many local councils offer supermarket vouchers as part of the Household Support Fund, providing additional assistance to those in need.