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Sainsbury's has opened its delivery and collection slots for December 20-23 - but shoppers are being told not to hang about. The retailer is urging customers to plan ahead by securing a slot that. Home delivery slots for 23 December open to customers on 3 December. Home delivery slots for 24 December open to customers on 4 December. If you're a Sainsbury's Delivery Pass customer. You can start booking your Christmas grocery delivery slots to arrive between 20 -23 December now.

As we continue to navigate these tricky times during the coronavirus pandemic, many of us will be in the same boat - trying to ensure everyone in the family has all the vital essentials in their cupboards. If you're keen to help the elderly relative (or neighbour) in your life, and help them organise a home delivery slot at Sainsbury's, we have all the details.

After Prime Minister Boris Johnson told elderly and vulnerable people to take themselves out of society for three months, Sainsbury’s said it would be giving disabled and elderly customers priority on its online delivery system, and the supermarket also opens only to the elderly and vulnerable for its first hour of trading.

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Shoppers eager to do their lockdown shopping at Sainsbury's

But if it's a home delivery slot you're after for an elderly or vulnerable person, this is what you need to do:

Follow instructions from the text message or letter you received to register as vulnerable on the HMRC website. If you didn't get contacted, you can register at gov.uk, and then contact your GP to request a letter.

If you haven't been contacted by Sainsbury's already, then you should be soon. A Sainsbury's representative tells HELLO!: 'As of Wednesday 25th, we had proactively contacted 270,000 customers who had already given us information that meant we could identify them as elderly or vulnerable. We had also booked slots for 115,000 elderly and vulnerable customers. Our customer careline is working at full capacity and we are able to give an additional 8,000 customers a day access to delivery slots over the phone so we urge everyone to keep trying.'

If you've not been contacted already there is a phone number to call for the Careline should you need it. Understandably, Sainsbury's is currently experiencing high levels of demand for the service, but the number to call is 0800 328 1700 and is available Monday to Sunday 8am - 11pm.

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Sainsbury’s boss Mike Coupe said: 'Many of you have written to me to tell me you are elderly or vulnerable and are struggling to book online delivery slots. We are doing our absolute best to offer online delivery slots to elderly, disabled and vulnerable customers. These customers have priority over all slots. Our customer Careline has been inundated with requests from elderly and vulnerable customers – we have had one year’s worth of contacts in two weeks.'

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Sainsbury’s has introduced policies restricting customers to only three of any grocery item or cleaning product, and Mike shut down the cafes and fresh food counters in order to redeploy staff elsewhere in stores.

So the message is, don't give up. And it doesn't have to be the vulnerable person who signs up either, so long as you all live together. 'It is extremely busy so we can only urge customers to keep trying,' the Sainsbury's rep tells HELLO!. 'Customers who have a vulnerable member in their household can register with us to receive this service.'

Sainsbury's shopping times you need to know about:

If you're not on the vulnerable list but are over 70, Sainsburys is opening from 8am - 9am every Monday, Wednesday and Friday and reserving this slot for elderly customers.

The supermarket is asking customers in-store to stand one metre away from colleagues wherever possible and pay with card rather than cash at tills.

Sainsbury's Xmas Delivery Slots Near Me

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While it may not feel like it, Christmas is just around the corner.

The ongoing pandemic in the UK has left many of us with little to feel excited about, but the festive period and all the glorious food it brings is definitely something to look forward to.

While the crisis has changed all aspects of every day life, including the way we shop, that hasn't stopped the supermarkets going all out, with many already releasing their Christmas store offerings for 2020.

So if you're eyeing up Christmas puddings and turkey crowns in preparation for this year, you may be wondering how early you should book a supermarket delivery slot.

So when do Christmas delivery slots open for 2020? Here's what Sainsbury's, Tesco, Morrisons, Asda and Waitrose have said.

Sainsbury's

It's not yet been confirmed when delivery slots for Christmas will open at Sainsbury's but the supermarket will update shoppers through its Christmas Delivery Guide online.

Customers will have to log onto their Groceries Online account to find out the dates.

The option to collect in store is already available, however. Customers just need to select a store and date, choose their items, pay a deposit and collect in-store on December 22, 23, or 24 at a chosen time.

Tesco

The supermarket's delivery slots for Christmas launch on November 13 for delivery saver customers and November 20 for non-delivery savers at 7am.

The Tesco website states: 'Don't forget, you can book a slot early if you're a Delivery Saver customer. Slots fill up quickly so set a reminder to make sure you don't miss out.'

You can also use Tesco's Click+Collect this Christmas, which means you can order your shopping to be ready and it will be waiting at your chosen collection point.

Morrisons

The store is yet to confirm its Christmas delivery slot launch date yet, but we'll update this article as soon as we know more.

In 2019 slots opened up on November 27 for deliveries between December 20 and 24.

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While delivery pass customers were given early access from November 6.

Waitrose

Waitrose has warned customers that delivery slot interest is 'high' this year.

The supermarket said: 'If you can 't find a delivery slot to suit, we still have Entertaining collection slots available for your Christmas turkey and festive feasts.'

You can collect in store with no minimum spend but orders need to be made by December 15 for Christmas.

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Find out about things to do in your area:

Asda

Christmas slots open on November 6 at Asda, or if you already have a Delivery Pass you can book from October 30.

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Asda said: 'Pre-order your festive feast and let us take the hassle out of Christmas.

'Our delicious Food to Order range includes starters, mains, desserts and party foods, as well as a selection of vegan foods.

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'Whether delivered to your door or collected from your local store, your festive feast will make it a Christmas to be remembered.'