In a letter to customers yesterday, Mike Coupe said by next week “the vast majority” of the grocer’s supermarkets would be open from 8am until 10pm, and opening hours in many convenience stores would also be extended to 11pm.

Coupe said this action was being taken to “reduce queuing times both inside and outside our stores” due to the social distancing measures put in place to protect customers and staff.

Sainsbury’s would also be installing additional protective screens between manned checkouts in a further 150 stores, allowing for more checkouts to be staffed.