Supermarkets across the country are preparing for the countdown to Christmas - including stores here in Southend.

With the emergence of the Omicron variant and social distancing set to become that much harder, it's understandable that shoppers might be feeling a little anxious about their festive food shop this year.

We have rounded up the quiet times for you to go to the major supermarkets to give you peace of mind and avoid the queues.

Using Google visiting data, customers can see the quietest times to shop throughout the week.

Here is a list of the major supermarkets in Southend and when it is best to visit them.

Aldi 

Echo: Aldi logo (PA)Aldi logo (PA) (Image: PA)

Priory Crescent

Where: 200 Priory Crescent, Southend-on-Sea SS2 6QN

Quietest times: 8am to 9pm and 8pm to 9pm (Weekdays and Saturday), 10am to 11am and 3pm to 4pm (Sunday)

Busiest times: 11am to 12pm and 4pm to 5pm (Weekdays and Saturday), 1pm to 2pm (Sunday)

London Road

Where: 684-686 London Rd, Westcliff-on-Sea, Southend-on-Sea, Westcliff-on-Sea SS0 9HQ

Quietest times: 8am to 9pm and 8pm to 9pm (Weekdays and Saturday), 10am to 11am and 3pm to 4pm (Sunday)

Busiest times: 3pm to 5pm (Weekdays and Saturday), 11am to 12pm (Sunday)

Asda

Shoeburyness

Where: N Shoebury Rd, Shoeburyness, Southend-on-Sea SS3 8DA

Quietest times: 7am to 8am and 10pm to 11pm (Weekdays and Saturday), 10am to 11am and 3pm to 4pm (Sunday)

Busiest times: 11am to 5pm (Weekdays and Saturday), 12pm to 1pm (Sunday)

Lidl

London Road

Where: 85 London Rd, Westcliff-on-Sea, Southend-on-Sea SS1 1PA

Quietest times: 8am to 9pm and 8pm to 9pm (Weekdays and Saturday), 10am to 11am and 3pm to 4pm (Sunday)

Busiest times: 12pm to 1pm (Weekdays and Saturday), 11am to 12pm (Sunday)

Woodgrange Drive

Where: 141 Woodgrange Dr, Southend-on-Sea SS1 2SE

Quietest times: 8am to 9pm and 8pm to 9pm (Weekdays and Saturday), 10am to 11am and 3pm to 4pm (Sunday)

Busiest times: 4pm to 5pm (Weekdays and Saturday), 11am to 12pm (Sunday)

Echo: Lidl has two stores in Southend (PA)Lidl has two stores in Southend (PA)

Greyhound Retail Park

Where: The Greyhound Retail Park, Greyhound Way, Southend-on-Sea SS2 5PY

Quietest times: 8am to 9pm and 8pm to 9pm (Weekdays and Saturday), 10am to 11am and 3pm to 4pm (Sunday)

Busiest times: 3pm to 4pm

Sainsbury's

London Road

Where: 45 London Rd, Southend-on-Sea SS1 1PL

Quietest times: 7am to 8am and 8pm to 9pm (Weekdays and Saturday), 10am to 11am and 3pm to 4pm (Sunday)

Busiest times: 1pm to 3pm (Weekdays and Saturday), 12pm to 1pm

Tesco

Tesco Extra Prince Avenue

Where: Prince Ave, Westcliff-on-Sea, Southend-on-Sea SS0 0JP

Quietest times: 6am to 7am and 10pm to 11pm (Weekdays and Saturday), 10am to 11am and 3pm to 4pm (Sunday)

Busiest times: 10am to 6pm (Weekdays and Saturday), 1pm to 2pm (Sunday)