Carrefour is massively accelerating its expansion in Spain, planning to open over 100 new stores in 2025. This initiative is set to create more than 700 new full-time jobs, further solidifying Carrefour’s position as a leading retailer in the country. The company, which is expected to close the current year with over 1,600 stores, thereby underlines its commitment to the Spanish market.
Carrefour: Years of Leadership in New Store Openings in Spain
Since 2019 until last year, Carrefour has established itself as the “leading company” in Spain for new store openings. With a total of 691 new centers during this period, the retail giant has continuously expanded its market share of almost 10%. Investments during this period amounted to over 150 million Euros, creating more than 3,500 jobs in both own stores and franchises.
Continuous Growth and Strategic Diversity
This year, Carrefour has already opened 46 online stores, underscoring its growth targets. Currently, Carrefour operates over 1,500 facilities in Spain, including more than 200 hypermarkets and almost 1,100 Carrefour Express stores. Elodie Perthuisot, Managing Director of Carrefour Spain, emphasized the “very ambitious expansion plan” that will strengthen the company’s leadership in Spanish retail.
Flexibility and Customer Proximity as Success Factors
“We are pursuing a strategy that combines various formats such as the hypermarket, as well as proximity and convenience supermarkets,” explained Perthuisot. “We want to be where our customers are and offer them the best at the best price, which is what differentiates Carrefour Spain.” In 2024, Carrefour opened over a hundred new supermarkets, mainly as franchises. For 2025, a further expansion plan with over 100 new stores across the national territory is planned, which will create up to 700 new full-time jobs.
Integration and Optimization of the Store Network
A significant step was the integration of the 47 Supercor stores acquired from El Corte Inglés in 2024. These were adapted to the Carrefour Market, Carrefour Express, and Supeco formats to optimize the offering and better meet the needs of customers in regions such as Madrid, Catalonia, Andalusia, the Balearic Islands, and the Valencian Community.
Commitment to Format Diversity and Omnichannel Strategy
Carrefour is committed to a multi-brand, multi-format, and omnichannel strategy to boost trade in Spain. The company adapts its business model to different locations, be it in urban or rural environments, at petrol stations, train stations, rest stops, or even campsites. Recent new openings include innovative formats such as Carrefour City in tourist areas, including three stores in Madrid (Puerta del Sol, Montera, and Plaza Elíptica) and locations such as the Son Bou campsite in Menorca.
Furthermore, Carrefour has established itself in emblematic locations, such as the old San Fernando winery in Jerez, the historic Mercat des Claustre in Mahón, or strategic enclaves like Puerta del Sol in Madrid. In the first quarter of 2025, Carrefour Spain recorded a 1.4% like-for-like sales growth, which is a major driver of the group’s European business. This positive development is mainly due to the robust growth of the food segment, which increased by 2.5% on a like-for-like basis, compared to an increase of 1.8% in the fourth quarter of 2024.
