Spain is celebrating Constitution Day today (December 6), meaning many stores will have reduced hours or be closed completely.
Regarding bank holiday closures, this year is a mixed picture, with most major supermarket chains opening, albeit with adjusted timetables depending on the region.
Below is a breakdown of how the biggest names, including Mercadona, Lidl, Carrefour, Alcampo and El Corte Ingles, are operating today.
Mercadona
In an unusual move, Mercadona has decided to open on a national holiday.
Saturday December 6: open 9am to 9.30pm, except in the Basque Country, where all stores will remain closed.
Sunday, December 7: closed
Monday December, 8: (Immaculate Conception): closed
Shoppers looking for exact details are advised to check the store locator on Mercadona’s website for regional variations.
Lidl
True to form, Lidl is opening where others don’t. Most stores are trading as normal today, typically 9am to 9pm.
However, hours vary widely between autonomous communities, and some locations may close. The chain urges customers to check their nearest shop through its online store finder.
Carrefour
Carrefour splits its operations between hypermarkets and its smaller Express outlets.
Hypermarkets: operating on their normal timetable today.
Carrefour Express: generally open 10am to 3pm, though some local exceptions apply.
Departments such as homeware, textiles and electronics are also open, as no restrictions have been announced for the holiday.
Alcampo
Alcampo stores are open in many cities today, but hours differ by region.
In Madrid and other major metropolitan areas, several supermarkets are running their standard schedules, while others have shortened opening times. Shoppers are encouraged to check individual centres online.
El Corte Inglés, Supercor & Supermercados ECI
The group maintains its usual broad holiday opening policy:
December 6: open 10am to 10pm
December 8: Also open on the normal schedule
Supercor supermarkets will generally follow the same pattern, with minor store-specific adjustments.
DIA
DIA has one of the most consistent operating patterns in the sector.
Saturday December 6: most stores open
Monday December 8: widespread openings expected
Even so, some shops operate on municipal timetables, so checking locally is recommended.
Aldi
Aldi typically alters its hours on public holidays, and this long weekend is no exception. Most outlets will be open today but with reduced schedules that vary by region.
Some shops in Madrid, for example, will trade 10am to 10pm on the 6th, 7th and 8th, though this is not a universal rule.
