With the arrival of Christmas, Ibiza prepares for dates marked by family gatherings, celebrations and full tables. Although many consumers plan their shopping in advance to avoid rushing and price hikes, every year the same scenario is repeated: customers rushing to the last minute to go to the supermarket. Aware of this, the large distribution chains operating on the island have already made public their special opening hours during the holidays, in order to avoid confusion and facilitate the organization of households.
During the final weeks of December and the first days of January, Ibiza’s supermarkets adjust their usual calendar with closures on key holidays and reduced opening hours, especially on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. The following are the schedules confirmed by the main chains operating on the island.
Mercadona: special closures and reduced opening hours on the eve of the holidays
The Valencian chain Mercadona has announced its special Christmas schedule, which includes several days of total closure and some days with reduced hours. During the month of December, Mercadona supermarkets in Ibiza will be closed on Sundays 21 and 28, as well as on December 25 and 26, coinciding with Christmas and Sant Esteve.
As for the key dates for last-minute shopping, on December 24 (Christmas Eve) and December 31 (New Year’s Eve) stores will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., reducing their usual hours.
In January, Mercadona will keep its stores closed on January 1 (New Year’s Day) and January 6 (Epiphany), as well as on Sundays 4 and 11. On all other weekdays, the network will maintain its regular schedule.
Hipercentro: Sunday opening and key mornings in January
Hipercentro supermarket has opted for a more flexible schedule during the holidays. According to the information available on its website, it will be open on Sunday, December 28, as well as on January 4, from 9:00 am to 2:30 pm.
On the eve of the main celebrations, December 24 and 31, Hipercentro will also have reduced hours from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm. On the other hand, it will be completely closed on December 25 and 26, as well as on January 6, the Epiphany holiday.
Eroski: Sundays open and closed on key holidays
The Eroski chain has detailed that on December 24, stores will close at 19:00 hours, while on Sunday 28 they will reopen all day as normal.
On New Year’s Eve, December 31, Eroski will also keep its stores open until 7:00 pm. However, the chain has confirmed a total closure on December 25 and 26, as well as on January 6.
Aldi: variable opening hours and closing on public holidays in the Balearic Islands
According to the information provided by the chain itself, Aldi supermarkets in Ibiza will open on December 24 and 31 with reduced opening hours, although the exact time slot has not been specified, as it may vary depending on the establishment.
Aldi will be closed on December 25 (Christmas), January 1 (New Year’s Day) and January 6 (Epiphany). In addition, on December 26, a regional holiday in the Balearic Islands, supermarkets will also be closed.
On the eve of Epiphany, January 5, Aldi will open its stores, although the opening hours may be normal or reduced, depending on each center.
Lidl: timely adjustments on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve
Lidl supermarkets will maintain their usual opening hours for most of the Christmas period, although they will also introduce significant changes on special dates. According to the chain’s informative poster, on December 24 and 31 the establishments will be open with reduced hours, from 9:00 to 19:00 hours.
On the other hand, on Wednesday, December 25, Christmas Day, Lidl will be closed throughout the island.
Key planning to avoid unforeseen events
With this calendar already defined, Ibiza’s supermarkets seek to facilitate the planning of Christmas shopping and avoid unnecessary trips on closing days. The days with reduced opening hours, especially on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, become key moments for those who still need to complete the shopping basket.
The adjustment of schedules reflects, once again, the adaptation of the food trade to a period of high demand, in which the tradition of the great celebrations coexist with the reality of last minute shopping. With the information now available, consumers can organize themselves better and avoid surprises in the final stretch of Christmas in Ibiza.
