Asda closes hundreds of UK stores for Easter weekend

Asda has announced that it will close all of its larger superstores in the UK for Easter Sunday, in compliance with trading regulations that mandate such closures for stores exceeding 280 square meters. The supermarket will resume normal operations on Easter Monday and its smaller Asda Express stores will remain open throughout the holiday weekend. Meanwhile, the Carrs-Safeway grocery store in Anchorage, Alaska, is set to close its doors for good on May 10 after nearly 70 years of operation, prompting community concerns about access to food and medicine for local residents who lack transportation. This closure has been described as devastating for the Fairview neighborhood, where the store served as a vital resource. Employees and community members have expressed sadness over the loss, highlighting the store's integral role in the community's daily life. The Carrs-Safeway closure reflects broader trends in the retail sector, where many grocery chains are facing pressures leading to store shutdowns.