grocery stores open christmas day

Which Grocery Stores Are Open on Christmas Day in Australia? Your 2025 Last-Minute Shopping Guide

For many Australians, Christmas Day is a time of quiet reflection, family gatherings, and festive feasts—but what happens when you realise you’ve forgotten the cranberry sauce, run out of milk, or need that last-minute dessert for Auntie Val? While most major retailers close their doors on 25 December out of respect for the public holiday, a handful of grocery stores across Australia may remain open—or at least operate with reduced hours—on Christmas Day.

As we head into the 2025 holiday season, shoppers are once again asking: Which grocery stores are open on Christmas Day? The answer isn’t straightforward, and it varies significantly by state, territory, and even individual store location. Unlike the United States—where chains like Costco, Aldi, and Kroger made headlines in late 2025 for staying open on Christmas Eve—Australia’s retail landscape follows stricter trading hour regulations, especially on nationally recognised public holidays.

This guide cuts through the confusion. Drawing on verified news reports, official retailer policies, and historical trends, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about grocery shopping on Christmas Day in Australia—including which stores might be open, why it’s so rare, and how to plan ahead so you’re never caught empty-handed.

Recent Updates: What We Know for 2025

As of December 2025, there has been no widespread announcement from major Australian grocery chains confirming extended or full-day operations on Christmas Day. However, several reputable international outlets—including Axios, Fox Business, and USA Today—have reported on U.S. retailers maintaining limited hours on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day this year. While these reports don’t directly apply to Australia, they highlight a growing global trend toward “always-on” retail, even during traditional holidays.

In Australia, the situation remains markedly different. Major supermarket chains such as Woolworths, Coles, Aldi, and IGA have consistently adhered to state-based trading restrictions that prohibit large retailers from opening on Christmas Day. These rules are enforced under state legislation—for example, New South Wales’ Retail Trading Act 2008 and Victoria’s Shop Trading Reform Act 2022—which designate Christmas Day as a “restricted trading day.”

That said, small independent grocers, convenience stores, and service station outlets (often operating under franchise agreements) may choose to open in certain areas—particularly in tourist hotspots, remote communities, or major transport hubs like airports and highway service centres. For instance, some 7-Eleven locations and BP Service Stations with attached mini-marts have historically operated on Christmas Day, though hours are typically limited and stock is minimal.

It’s also worth noting that online grocery delivery services—including Woolworths Online and Coles Online—do not offer same-day delivery on Christmas Day. Most suspend operations entirely from Christmas Eve evening through Boxing Day morning.

“Australian consumers should not expect the same level of holiday accessibility as their American counterparts,” says retail analyst Dr. Emily Tran from the University of Melbourne. “Our cultural and legislative framework places a higher value on family time and worker rights during public holidays—even if it means less convenience for last-minute shoppers.”

Contextual Background: Why Are Most Stores Closed on Christmas Day?

To understand why grocery shopping on Christmas Day is so limited in Australia, it helps to look at the historical and cultural context behind our trading laws.

Unlike the U.S., where federal law does not regulate holiday trading hours (leaving it to individual states and businesses), Australia has a patchwork of state-level legislation that tightly controls when large retailers can operate. Christmas Day, Good Friday, and ANZAC Day morning are universally recognised as “closed days” for non-essential retail across all states and territories.

These laws stem from early 20th-century labour movements that sought to protect workers’ rights to observe religious and national holidays with their families. Over time, they’ve become deeply embedded in Australian social norms. Even as consumer demand for 24/7 convenience has grown—fueled by e-commerce and global retail trends—there remains strong public and political resistance to expanding trading hours on core holidays.

Moreover, Australia’s major supermarket duopoly—Woolworths and Coles—have little incentive to challenge these norms. Both companies publicly emphasise their commitment to employee wellbeing and community values during the holidays. In recent years, they’ve even promoted “early closure” initiatives on Christmas Eve, encouraging customers to finish shopping by mid-afternoon so staff can return home early.

That said, exceptions do exist—especially in regions with unique logistical needs. For example: - In remote Outback communities, where supermarkets may be hundreds of kilometres apart, some local stores operate on reduced hours year-round, including Christmas Day. - In tourist destinations like Byron Bay, the Gold Coast, or Cairns, independent grocers catering to holidaymakers may open for a few hours to serve visitors who haven’t planned ahead. - Airport convenience stores (e.g., those inside Sydney or Melbourne airports) often remain open for arriving and departing passengers, though selection is limited to snacks, drinks, and travel essentials.

It’s also important to distinguish between grocery stores and general retailers. While department stores like Kmart, Target, and Big W are closed on Christmas Day (as confirmed by their 2025 holiday schedules), some pharmacies (such as certain Amcal or TerryWhite Chemmart locations) may open for emergency health needs—but not for full grocery runs.

Immediate Effects: What This Means for Australian Shoppers

The practical impact of limited Christmas Day trading is clear: planning ahead is non-negotiable. Australians who rely on last-minute shopping run the risk of arriving at closed doors—or facing sparse shelves at the few outlets that do open.

This reality has shaped consumer behaviour over the past decade. According to a 2024 survey by Roy Morgan, 78% of Australians now complete their Christmas grocery shopping at least three days before December 25, with nearly half finishing by December 20. The rise of pre-ordering festive hampers, click-and-collect services, and early-bird specials has further reduced the need for Christmas Day shopping.

However, for those who do find themselves in a bind—perhaps due to unexpected guests, dietary restrictions, or last-minute menu changes—the options are slim but not nonexistent. Here’s a quick snapshot of what might be available:

“If you absolutely must shop on Christmas Day, your best bet is a local corner store or petrol station,” advises Sarah Lim, a Sydney-based lifestyle blogger who documented her 2024 Christmas Day shopping attempt. “I found bread, eggs, and even a small turkey breast at a 7-Eleven near Circular Quay—but don’t expect fresh produce or party platters.”

Economically, the closure of major retailers on Christmas Day has minimal impact on overall holiday sales. Most revenue is generated in the weeks leading up to Christmas, with Boxing Day becoming the new focal point for discounts and post-holiday spending. In fact, some retailers report that early closures on Christmas Eve actually boost pre-holiday sales, as customers rush to finalise purchases.

Future Outlook: Will Australian Grocery Stores Ever Open on Christmas Day?

Looking ahead, the likelihood of widespread Christmas Day trading in Australian supermarkets remains low—but not impossible. Several factors could shift the landscape in the coming years:

1. Changing Consumer Expectations: As digital natives enter adulthood, demand for on-demand services—including holiday grocery delivery—may pressure policymakers to reconsider trading laws. However, this would require bipartisan political support, which has been historically absent.

2. Regional Disparities: Remote and regional communities may see more flexible rules, especially if isolation makes traditional shopping impractical. Some local councils have already