Shoppers across Andalucia will soon have more opportunities to stock up on groceries and browse the sales.

Both Mercadona and El Corte Ingles are extending Sunday opening hours during the busy summer season.

The changes come as millions of holidaymakers descend on Spain’s southern coast, prompting major retailers to adapt their schedules to cope with the seasonal surge.

From this Sunday, many El Corte Ingles department stores in Andalucia will begin operating special summer Sunday hours, opening from 11am until 9pm.

The extended schedule is expected to remain in place until the first Sunday of September.

The move applies to many of the chain’s flagship stores, including those in major cities and popular tourist destinations along the Costa del Sol.

Mercadona, which is famous for keeping most of its supermarkets closed on Sundays and public holidays, will once again make an exception in tourist hotspots this summer.

The supermarket giant has confirmed that around 320 stores across Spain will switch to a special summer timetable from June 22 until August 30.

Selected supermarkets in tourist areas of Andalucia, including Marbella and other coastal destinations, will open on Sundays from 9am until 3pm.

The participating stores will also extend their weekday opening hours, trading from 9am until 10pm instead of the usual 9.30pm closing time.

Neither retailer is applying the changes across all of Andalucia.

El Corte Ingles opening times can vary between locations, while only selected Mercadona supermarkets in areas with high tourist demand will adopt the Sunday schedule.

Customers are advised to check their local store before travelling.

Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.