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There’s no doubt that getting a shopping delivery slot has been harder than usual since the UK went into lockdown eight weeks ago.

In an attempt to take some of the stress away, Martin Lewis’ MoneySavingExpert.com has compiled a list of top tips.

The list shows how far ahead each supermarket releases its slots and how you might get your hands on one, reports BirminghamLive.

The supermarket with the longest lead time appears to be Tesco with a massive 21 days, which assumes you know what you’ll want to eat three weeks in advance.

Waitrose and Morrisons release their slots just three days ahead.

Tesco Delivery Slots Released Time

So you might know what you want to eat but will you then have enough time to get your order in before all of the slots are quickly taken?

What time of day do tesco delivery slots released
  1. New slots are released every night at midnight but there are currently no home delivery or Click and Collect spaces available up to April 21. However, another 100,000 slots are due to become.
  2. Tesco shoppers reported long waits when Christmas slots became available to its Delivery Saver customers earlier this month, and the supermarket has apologised that some may not be able to get the delivery time they want. Ocado has also sold out of slots already. Watch out if booking close to delivery date.

Here’s how the supermarket giants are operating according to Moneysavingexpert.

Check out Festive Food to Order items by 14 December. Festive Food to Order items must be checked out by 11.45pm, 14 December. You won't be able to amend these items after this, but you can still amend other items that aren't part of Festive Food to Order, until 11.45pm on the day before your delivery.

Three days ahead

Waitrose - used to be in partnership with Ocado but not any more.

So it might well be looking to expand times in due course.

For slots, it said it is 'advising customers to check each morning'.

Shoppers surveyed said they had success from 6am to 8am as well as randomly during the day.

Morrisons - shoppers top tip was to try just after midnight

Five days ahead

Co-op - told Martin Lewis that 'slots are launched every day, at around midnight'.

Seven days ahead

Iceland - the company said times were specific to stores, so Martin Lewis's 'Forumites' reported different results in tandem.

Sainsbury's - told Martin Lewis that 'when the slots are released will vary - there isn't a specific time and it doesn't depend on the store'.

One follower reported success every Monday.

Ocado - the online supermarket was a former partner with Waitrose but recently jumped into bed with M&S and is due start selling its products, as well as its own, from September.

It said there wasn't a fixed time when they were released, but priority customers were emailed about availability.

Tesco Pick A Slot

Once they've had a chance to book, non-priority customers are notified - via a message on the home page - and are then able to book any remaining slots.

14 days ahead

Asda - revealed that slots update as and when they become available in each area. Popular times to get a slot were typically 10pm or midnight, though some followers said between 2am and 4am.

21 days ahead

What Time Are Tesco Christmas Delivery Slots Released

Tesco - Martin Lewis was told 'slots tend to be released at midnight for three weeks ahead' but that it's busy adding extra vans to create more slots.

Tesco Online Delivery

Top tips include logging on ten minutes early and then trying to book after midnight.