Carrefour expands its 24-hour store chain in Spain | Progresiv
France-based Carrefour has expanded its 24-hour hypermarket chain by opening its second in Madrid. Carrefour now operates 13 stores with 24-hour opening: 11 supermarkets, and two hypermarkets. 
Carrefour said that it is supporting trade liberalisation whilst answering the needs of current consumers who want to shop outside normal hours. According to the retailer, it is the first in the sector to open 24/7 in Madrid. Carrefour’s online and click & collect offer also adds convenience for shoppers.
Madrid is the only autonomous community in Spain that has completely liberalised business trade hours. The legislation came into place in 2012 and Madrid was the first to adhere to it, hoping to stimulate retail activity. Retailers can determine their own schedule from the full 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. In most other autonomous communities, there is a limit on the number of Sundays and holidays retailers can open on.
Carrefour is making use of this legislation in Madrid and can point towards benefits including increased GDP, employment and lower prices to those against freedom of commercial hours. Trade liberalisation can also put physical stores and omnichannel retailers in a more competitive position as online platforms gain market share, given that tight regulation favours ecommerce. Trade liberalisation also supports tourism, and this is reflected in freer schedules in the south of Spain, compared to the north.
Retailers with an inherent degree of freedom across Spain are convenience stores, shops in tourist areas, and those with an area of less than 300sq m. (www.igd.com)
