Lorraine Williamson
Carrefour will add 100 new outlets to its Spanish network this year, marking a strategic push to bring stores closer to where people live and work.
The move is part of a wider shift in how the company approaches growth in a market where habits are changing rapidly.
Neighbourhood stores take priority
Of the 100 stores planned, nearly all will be smaller Carrefour Express units. These shops cater to quick, local shopping and are typically operated through franchise partners. The group already runs over 1,000 of them nationwide, and their footprint is expected to grow considerably by year-end.
In the first half of 2025, 46 new stores have already opened. Some are located in high-traffic areas such as Madrid’s Puerta del Sol. Meanwhile, others serve holidaymakers on campsites or operate inside repurposed heritage buildings. This variety reflects Carrefour’s intent to adapt to local demand and context.
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Hypermarkets take a back seat
Carrefour has confirmed it will not build any additional hypermarkets in Spain. The existing 204 large-format stores will continue operating, but the company no longer sees them as essential to future growth.
Instead, attention is shifting to Supeco — Carrefour’s discount supermarket model. With 69 stores already open, Supeco targets price-sensitive shoppers and mimics the warehouse-style layout familiar to fans of Lidl and Aldi.
Hiring and investment ongoing
The company’s expansion is expected to generate around 700 new jobs in Spain in 2025. Since 2019, Carrefour has added over 3,500 roles while investing more than €150 million into its store network.
This growth has not only come from building new stores but also through acquisitions. In 2024, Carrefour acquired 47 Supercor supermarkets from El Corte Inglés. These are now being rebranded under its various formats, depending on location and demand.
Looking to acquire more
Carrefour is also in talks to buy other regional chains, including BM Supermercados (owned by Uvesco) and Hiperdino, which has a strong presence in the Canary Islands. These potential deals reflect Carrefour’s ongoing ambition to increase its market share in key parts of Spain.
Retail landscape continues to evolve
Carrefour’s pivot to smaller, franchise-based stores comes at a time when Spanish shoppers are seeking speed, ease, and locality over bulk buying. The expansion strategy mirrors the broader shift across Europe towards decentralised retail, driven by urban lifestyles and post-pandemic behaviours.
Whether through Express convenience stores, low-cost Supeco outlets, or strategic acquisitions, Carrefour is betting on flexibility — not size — to stay ahead in the Spanish grocery sector.
Sources: CincoDias, ElConfidencial