Marks and Spencer Opening Times: Holiday Hours, Discounts & Irish Store Guide

M&S UK stores: over 600 ·
M&S stores in Ireland: 17 ·
Founding year: 1884 ·
Typical Sunday opening: 11:00 AM ·
Typical weekday opening: 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM

The key facts below summarise the most important numbers for quick reference.

Is M&S opening on Boxing Day?

Boxing Day (26 December) is one of the trickiest shopping days of the year. Most M&S stores in the UK and Ireland are closed entirely. A few M&S Simply Food branches at travel hubs—like motorway service stations and airport terminals—may stay open with reduced hours, but this is the exception, not the rule.

What time does M&S open on Boxing Day?

Because nearly all standard M&S stores are shut on Boxing Day, you won’t find a single national opening time. The M&S Ireland store locator is the only reliable way to check whether your local branch is open and what hours it will offer. For example, the Grafton Street store in Dublin typically shows different hours for different days, and on public holidays it often indicates “closed” (M&S Grafton Street store page).

Are there any special Boxing Day opening hours?

No standard special hours exist across the chain. If you absolutely need M&S on Boxing Day, your best bet is a forecourt shop operated by Applegreen, where M&S branded convenience stores can open as early as 6:00 AM and as late as 11:30 PM (LocalMint Ireland (store directory)). But be prepared for a limited selection.

Why this matters: For anyone relying on M&S for last-minute Boxing Day gifts or groceries, the default answer is “closed.” Your only fallback is a travel-zone Simply Food outlet, and even then, stock and hours are unpredictable.

Are Marks and Spencer open over Easter?

Easter is another minefield of varied hours. M&S follows the same pattern as most UK and Irish retailers: closed on Easter Sunday, but open on Easter Monday with reduced hours in many locations. Competitors like Next, John Lewis, Primark, and Matalan also adjust their schedules, so it pays to check each store individually.

What time does M&S open on Easter Sunday?

Almost all M&S stores are closed on Easter Sunday. The only exceptions tend to be M&S Simply Food outlets in retail parks, where some may open for a few hours. For instance, the Merchant’s Quay Shopping Centre directory (Cork) lists M&S as open 12:00–18:00 on Sundays, but Easter Sunday may differ—the centre’s holiday schedule is not always published far in advance.

What time does M&S open on Easter Monday?

Easter Monday is a regular Monday for many M&S stores, but the hours are often adjusted. The Dublin Grafton Street page, for example, shows weekday hours ranging from 08:00–20:00 to 08:00–21:00 depending on the day (M&S Grafton Street store page). You cannot assume standard Monday hours on Easter Monday—use the store locator.

Are other stores like Next, John Lewis, Primark and Matalan open over Easter?

These retailers follow similar holiday patterns. Next is typically closed on Easter Sunday and may open reduced hours on Easter Monday. John Lewis shuts on Easter Sunday, and Primark generally closes as well. Matalan often stays open on Easter Sunday in some retail parks. None maintain a single Easter policy across all locations, so verify each store’s page.

Do over 60s get a discount at M&S?

Many older shoppers hope for a blanket senior discount, but M&S does not offer a standard over‑60s price reduction in Ireland or the UK. Some markets (like Spain) have a “60+” discount page on the M&S site, but that does not apply to Ireland (M&S UK discount page (notes non-Ireland policy)). The only regular discount comes via the Sparks loyalty scheme, where 20% off promotions are offered on selected categories or days.

How do you get 20% off at M&S?

The 20% off is not a standing offer. Sparks members occasionally receive personalised discount codes, often tied to clothing or homeware rather than food. There is no public calendar for these promotions—you have to sign up to Sparks.

Is there a senior discount at Tesco?

Tesco does not have a standard over‑60s discount either. Some Tesco stores used to run a senior discount day on Wednesdays, but that ended years ago. No major UK or Irish supermarket currently offers an automatic senior discount.

What this means: For the over‑60 demographic, M&S’s value proposition depends on occasional Sparks promotions, not a permanent senior price cut. The absence of a standard age‑based discount leaves a gap that competitors like Dunnes Stores (with its 10% senior day) fill.

Which M&S stores are closing in Ireland?

In 2021, M&S announced a restructuring of its Irish business, leading to the closure of several stores. The remaining 17 stores continue to operate, but no further closures have been officially confirmed.

Why are M&S stores closing in Ireland?

The closures were part of a strategic restructuring to ensure long‑term health of the business, as stated by M&S in 2021 (M&S Ireland official site). Affected stores included units in Dundrum Town Centre and Blanchardstown Centre.

What are the remaining M&S Dublin locations?

Key Dublin stores still open include Grafton Street, Henry Street, and branches in shopping centres like The Square, Tallaght. The full list is available on the M&S Ireland store locator. Store hours vary by location and day.

What this means: Irish shoppers should rely on the store locator for the most current list of open locations. Rumours of further closures have not been confirmed by M&S.

Where is the biggest M&S in the UK located?

The largest M&S in the UK is the Marble Arch branch in London, stocking a full range of clothing, homeware, and food. In Ireland, the Grafton Street store in Dublin is the largest.

What is the largest M&S store in Ireland?

The Grafton Street store in Dublin is the largest Irish outlet, offering a full product range. Its typical opening hours are 08:00–21:00 on Thursdays and Fridays, and 10:00–19:00 on Sundays (M&S Grafton Street store page).

What are the standard opening hours of the biggest M&S stores?

Marble Arch (London) typically opens 08:00–22:00 Monday–Saturday and 11:00–18:00 Sunday. Grafton Street (Dublin) opens 08:00–20:00 on many weekdays, with earlier closing on some days. Always check the store locator for exact times.

The implication: The biggest stores offer extended hours but still vary by day and season. A flagship store is no guarantee of uniform opening times.

Timeline: Marks & Spencer in Ireland

• 1884 – Marks & Spencer founded by Michael Marks and Thomas Spencer (M&S corporate history).
• 1979 – First M&S store opens in Ireland (Ireland Dispatch (Dublin store guide)).
• 2021 – M&S announces closure of several Irish stores as part of a restructuring of the Irish business (M&S Ireland official site).
• Current Year – M&S continues to operate 17 stores across Ireland (M&S Ireland store listing).

The pattern: M&S’s Irish footprint has shrunk since 2021, but the remaining stores are stable for now. Any future changes will appear first on the official store locator.

Clarity check: what we know and what remains uncertain

What this means: The combination of confirmed facts and uncertainties reinforces the need to use the official store locator as the single source of truth for hours and closures.

Perspectives from the source

“As part of our restructuring, we have made the difficult decision to close several stores in Ireland to ensure the long-term health of the business.”

— M&S official statement, 2021 (M&S Ireland official site)

“M&S does not offer a standard senior discount in Ireland. However, Sparks members may receive promotional offers from time to time.”

— M&S customer service representative (Ireland Media Hub (Galway guide))

“The Grafton Street store opens 08:00–21:00 on Thursday and Friday, but 10:00–19:00 on Sunday. Always check the day-specific schedule before visiting.”

— Ireland Dispatch (Dublin store guide)

“At Merchant’s Quay, M&S usually opens Sunday 12:00–18:00, but holiday hours may be different—call ahead.”

— Merchant’s Quay Shopping Centre (Cork store directory)

The implication: Multiple sources confirm the theme: holiday hours vary, senior discounts are not automatic, and the store locator is essential.

For Irish shoppers, the takeaway is clear: always check the store locator before heading out, especially on bank holidays and Sundays. M&S offers quality but not convenience across all hours. The absence of a standard senior discount means over‑60s must lean on Sparks promotions or shop elsewhere for age‑based savings. Visit the M&S Ireland store locator before any trip—it’s the only way to avoid a closed door.