Easter is one of the busiest shopping periods of the year, and if I want to secure Tesco Easter delivery slots, the direct answer is simple: book as early as possible, ideally at 6am on release day.
Priority access opens on 24 February at 6am for Anytime Delivery Saver and Click+Collect subscribers, while general access opens on 3 March at 6am for all customers.
With around 120,000 extra slots released and a six week Easter booking window, planning ahead makes all the difference.
In this guide, I cover:
- Official Tesco Easter delivery slot release dates
- How priority and general booking work
- How home delivery, Click+Collect, and Whoosh operate
- Delivery Saver plans and pricing comparison
- Practical tips to secure a slot before they sell out
- What to do if slots are unavailable in my area
When Do Tesco Easter Delivery Slots Open in the UK?
Tesco Easter delivery slots open in stages, and understanding those stages makes a significant difference when I am trying to secure a convenient time. Easter is one of the busiest grocery shopping periods in the UK calendar. Families are planning roast dinners, school holiday meals, gatherings, and last minute chocolate purchases. Because of this surge in demand, Tesco releases its Easter slots strategically rather than all at once.
For this year, Tesco has confirmed that around 120,000 additional home delivery and Click+Collect slots are being made available. What makes this Easter slightly different is the six week booking window covering the broader Easter school holidays. This extended window gives shoppers more flexibility beyond just Good Friday and Easter Monday.
The two key access points are structured as follows:
| Booking Phase | Date | Time | Eligibility |
| Priority Access | 24 February | 6am | Anytime Delivery Saver and Click+Collect plan subscribers |
| General Access | 3 March | 6am | All Tesco customers including Off Peak subscribers |
Priority access provides a clear advantage. Those subscribed to the Anytime Delivery Saver or Click+Collect plan can log in and choose from the widest selection of Tesco Easter delivery slots before the general public gains access.
From my experience, peak times such as Friday afternoon, Saturday morning, and Sunday slots tend to disappear first. Evening deliveries are also particularly competitive in urban areas. The moment general booking opens at 6am, thousands of customers are logged in simultaneously.
Tesco structures access in this way to balance operational capacity and reward regular shoppers. This system reduces pressure on distribution centres by staggering demand.
What Are the Key Dates for Tesco Easter Delivery Slot Booking?
Beyond the official release dates, the practical timeline around Easter matters just as much. Booking early does not just secure a slot, it also provides flexibility in adjusting the order later.
The most important booking milestones are summarised below:
| Event | What It Means for Shoppers |
| 24 February 6am | Earliest opportunity to secure premium Easter weekend slots if subscribed to qualifying plans |
| 3 March 6am | Wider availability opens but high demand begins immediately |
| Week Before Easter | Many prime slots already filled, limited flexibility |
| Easter Weekend | Restricted changes and reduced same day flexibility |
The six week booking period allows customers to secure delivery during school holidays, which can be particularly helpful for families hosting gatherings across multiple days rather than a single meal.
It is also worth noting that bank holiday staffing levels can affect final availability. While Tesco increases capacity, local store operations still influence how many Tesco Easter delivery slots appear in a particular postcode.
I have found that planning my main shop for earlier in the Easter week rather than Good Friday gives me far more flexibility. Fresh produce remains available and I avoid the rush.
How Do Tesco Easter Delivery Slots Work?
Tesco Easter delivery slots operate through the Tesco Groceries website and mobile app. The process itself is straightforward, but availability depends on geography, demand, and distribution centre capacity.
When I log into my Tesco account, I can view available dates once booking is open for my postcode. I select a preferred delivery or Click+Collect time and begin filling my basket. The system temporarily reserves the slot while I shop, but I must complete checkout before the cut off time to confirm it.
Booking a Home Delivery Slot
Home delivery remains the most popular option during Easter. The steps typically include:
- Sign into Tesco Groceries
- Confirm postcode and preferred store
- Choose an available delivery window
- Complete checkout before the amendment deadline
Each slot has a time window, often ranging between one and four hours depending on availability. Charges vary unless covered by a Delivery Saver plan.
Delivery vehicles operate within planned routes. That means slot density in my area is influenced by route efficiency and number of drivers allocated.
Using Click+Collect During Easter
Click+Collect provides an alternative when home delivery slots are limited. Tesco staff pick and pack the order, and I collect it from a designated store location.
Click+Collect often has slightly broader availability during peak periods. It also removes concerns about missing a delivery window at home. Collection slots may be shorter and more flexible.
The Click+Collect Delivery Saver plan allows access to any available collection slot and includes early booking for Easter.
Is Tesco Whoosh Available Over Easter?
Tesco Whoosh is designed for rapid smaller orders, typically delivered within an hour. It is especially useful for forgotten items such as cream, fresh herbs, or Easter eggs.
However, Whoosh operates separately from main grocery delivery. It is not included within standard Delivery Saver benefits and availability depends heavily on store capacity.
Is Tesco Delivery Saver Worth It for Easter?
Delivery Saver plans are particularly relevant during high demand periods such as Easter. Tesco offers multiple subscription options designed to reduce per slot charges and provide booking advantages.
The main six month plans are summarised below:
| Plan | Monthly Cost | Total 6 Month Cost | Main Benefits |
| Anytime | £7.99 | £47.94 | Any available slot, early access to Easter and Christmas slots, same day delivery included excluding Whoosh |
| Off Peak | £4.99 | £29.94 | Delivery after 3pm, lower cost, no early Easter access |
| Click+Collect | £2.49 | £14.94 | Collection slots included, early access to Easter collection slots |
Tesco promotes potential annual savings based on avoiding weekly delivery fees. If a typical slot costs around £5 and I shop weekly, savings accumulate quickly.
From my own shopping habits, I find the Anytime plan offers the most value when I consistently use weekend delivery. I once calculated my yearly delivery charges without a plan and realised I was spending far more than the subscription cost.
To gain further clarity, I spoke with a retail logistics professional who works in supermarket supply chain planning. He told me, “Easter creates concentrated demand over a short period, especially for fresh categories like lamb, bakery, and seasonal confectionery. Priority booking spreads that demand across time and protects service reliability.”
He also added, “Without subscription based early access, delivery networks would experience sudden booking spikes that are operationally difficult to manage.”
That explanation gave me a clearer understanding of why Delivery Saver subscribers gain early booking access. It is not simply a marketing benefit but part of capacity planning.
How Can I Secure a Tesco Easter Delivery Slot Before They Sell Out?
Securing Tesco Easter delivery slots requires preparation rather than luck. Demand surges immediately at release time, particularly in densely populated areas.
There are a few practical steps that improve the chances of success:
- Log in at least ten minutes before 6am on release day
- Pre build the shopping basket in advance
- Consider flexible delivery times rather than peak evening windows
Flexibility plays a major role. Midweek morning or afternoon slots often remain available longer than Friday evening or Saturday morning.
Cancellations also create opportunity. When customers adjust plans or reduce orders, slots reappear. Checking the booking page periodically throughout the day can uncover availability.
I have personally noticed that refreshing the booking page later in the evening sometimes reveals new openings, especially a few days before Easter weekend.
What Happens If Tesco Easter Delivery Slots Are Full?
If Tesco Easter delivery slots appear fully booked in my area, it does not always mean all options are gone.
Alternative approaches include checking nearby store coverage areas, switching from home delivery to Click+Collect, or scheduling delivery earlier in the week. Some customers also divide their shopping into two smaller orders placed on different dates.
Below is a comparison of alternatives when primary slots are unavailable:
| Situation | Possible Solution | Practical Outcome |
| No weekend delivery slots | Book midweek delivery | More flexibility and product availability |
| Evening slots unavailable | Choose daytime window | Reduced competition |
| Delivery unavailable | Switch to Click+Collect | Greater slot availability |
| Last minute forgotten items | Use Whoosh | Fast top up solution |
Planning the main Easter meal shop earlier reduces pressure and improves availability of fresh items.
How Do Tesco Easter Delivery Slots Compare to Other UK Supermarkets?
Tesco’s structured release dates and subscription priority system distinguish it from some competitors. While other supermarkets also increase Easter capacity, not all provide a six week booking window.
Tesco’s combination of additional slots, early access for subscribers, and multiple plan options creates a predictable system. For shoppers who value certainty, this structure can be reassuring.
From my perspective, clarity around booking dates reduces anxiety. I know exactly when Tesco Easter delivery slots become available and can plan accordingly rather than waiting for unpredictable releases.
Operational scale also plays a role. Tesco’s extensive store network and distribution infrastructure allow it to add significant seasonal capacity compared to smaller chains.
Understanding how Tesco Easter delivery slots function, when they open, and how Delivery Saver integrates with seasonal demand allows me to approach Easter planning strategically rather than reactively.
Conclusion
Tesco Easter delivery slots open first to Delivery Saver customers on 24 February at 6am, followed by general access on 3 March at 6am. With 120,000 additional slots and a six-week Easter holiday window, there is opportunity to secure a convenient time — but only if I plan ahead.
If I rely on home delivery during bank holidays, early booking is essential. Delivery Saver offers priority access and potential cost savings, while Click+Collect provides flexibility when delivery slots are limited.
In short, the key to securing Tesco Easter delivery slots is preparation, flexibility, and acting as soon as bookings open.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tesco Easter Delivery Slots
How far in advance can I book Tesco Easter delivery slots?
Tesco allows bookings across a six-week Easter holiday window, starting from the official release dates in late February and early March.
Does Tesco deliver on Easter Sunday?
Delivery availability on Easter Sunday depends on location and local store operations. Some areas may have reduced services.
Can I amend my Tesco Easter grocery order after booking?
Yes, Tesco allows order amendments up to a specified cut-off time before delivery or collection.
Are delivery charges higher during Easter?
Standard delivery charges apply unless I subscribe to Delivery Saver, which removes per-slot fees for eligible bookings.
What time do Tesco delivery slots refresh?
Slots typically refresh at official release times (6am). Additional availability may appear throughout the day due to cancellations.
Is there a minimum spend for Tesco Easter delivery?
Yes, Tesco applies a minimum basket value for home delivery orders, which may vary by location.
Can I share a Tesco Delivery Saver plan with family members?
Delivery Saver benefits apply to the registered account holder. Sharing login details is subject to Tesco’s terms and conditions.
