However, if you do not want to find yourself with the shutters down, it is essential that you know the special schedules that the main food chains have established for this holiday.

As happened last Christmas Eve, the distribution sector in Spain will adjust its working day. The aim is twofold: to facilitate last-minute shopping for consumers and to ensure that workers can enjoy grapes with their families.

Opening hours of the main supermarket chains on December 31st

Although the general trend is to close early, each brand applies different criteria according to its company policy and the location of the center. Here we summarize the most important details:

Mercadona

Juan Roig’s company will maintain a unified schedule throughout its network of stores in Spain. On December 31, its supermarkets will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., eliminating its usual night-time closing time.

Lidl

The German chain follows a similar strategy. Its stores will be open in the morning, but will close earlier at 7:00 pm. However, some stores may vary slightly depending on the location, so it is advisable to use their official search engine.

Carrefour

Due to the variety of formats(Hypermarkets, Market or Express), Carrefour’s opening hours are more diverse. Most will close between 19:00 and 20:00, although some convenience stores in tourist areas may extend their opening hours.

El Corte Inglés, Hipercor and Supercor

Shopping centers and their respective supermarkets usually bring forward the end of the day to 19:00 hours on Wednesday. It is important to remember that, depending on the Autonomous Community, these schedules could be slightly modified.

Dia and Alcampo supermarkets

Both chains have opted for flexibility. While most of their stores will close around 7:00 p.m., there are centers that may vary their opening times. It is strongly recommended to consult their web locators to avoid unnecessary trips.

Aldi and AhorraMás (Earliest closures)

If you usually shop at these chains, be careful! They are the most restrictive on New Year’s Eve:

• Aldi: Plans to open from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., drastically reducing its usual working hours.

• AhorraMás: It will follow an identical line, opening at 09:00 and closing at 15:00 hours.

For greater security, always use the store locator on the official website of each supermarket by entering your zip code. This will give you the exact opening hours of the store nearest you.

La entrada Mercadona’s New Year’s Eve opening hours: Closed on December 31? se publicó primero en La Voz De Ibiza.

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.

La entrada Christmas shopping in Ibiza: what are the special opening hours of supermarkets during the holidays? se publicó primero en La Voz De Ibiza.

Mercadona has decided to take a step that has not gone unnoticed either inside or outside the distribution sector. The company presided by Juan Roig has announced a series of labor changes that will substantially alter the working conditions of more than 110,000 employees, with measures that directly target rest time and economic remuneration. The announcement comes after a period of solid results and reinforces a strategy that seeks to clearly differentiate itself from its competition.

More vacations: the change that marks a before and an after

One of the announcements that has generated the greatest impact is the extension of the annual vacation period, which will increase from the current 30 days to 37 days off per year. This measure will come into force in 2026 and will be applied indefinitely to all Mercadona employees in Spain and Portugal.

The company stresses that this increase in rest time means a direct improvement in the annual working day and in the quality of life of the employees. This is not a minor adjustment: the increase in days off entails an increase in salary costs of around 100 million euros per year, a figure that reflects the magnitude of the decision.

Extra pay for the entire workforce

The second major measure announced by the management committee has an immediate impact. Next March, Mercadona will pay an extraordinary bonus equivalent to a full month’s salary to all its employees, regardless of the country in which they work.

This additional payment will represent a disbursement of approximately 280 million euros and is in addition to the variable compensation system that the company already applies, which can amount to between one and two monthly payments depending on seniority. Altogether, vacations and bonus pay raise the annual investment to 380 million euros.

Recognition linked to results

Mercadona’s management links these decisions to the performance of the workforce and to the results obtained by the company in recent years. The company stresses that the collective effort of the workers has been key to improving productivity, efficiency and business management.

This is not an isolated move. In 2025, Mercadona already applied a salary increase of 8.5% to 100% of the workforce, a measure that laid the foundations for the new package of improvements announced now. The company argues that these policies are in line with its own human resources model, based on continually reviewing which decisions contribute value to both employment and the overall functioning of the organization.

A commitment to differentiate itself in the sector

With this set of measures, Mercadona reinforces its position as one of the companies that invests the most in working conditions within the distribution sector. The company frames these decisions within a long-term strategy aimed at maintaining high levels of commitment and satisfaction among its workers.

The top management insists that the objective is clear: to make the workforce feel recognized, motivated and fully involved in the project. A commitment that, beyond the figures, seeks to consolidate a labor model that has become one of the pillars of the chain’s sustained success.

La entrada Mercadona’s unexpected change that affects its entire workforce in Spain se publicó primero en La Voz De Ibiza.

Opening hours of the main supermarkets in Madrid this December 6

The Constitution Day holiday will not hinder commercial activity in Madrid, although supermarkets have adapted their schedules to meet the increased demand for the long weekend without affecting the rest of their staff.

These are the confirmed slots for this Saturday, December 6, according to each network:

• Mercadona: open from 9:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; closed Sunday 7 and Monday 8.

• Lidl: general opening hours from 9:00 to 21:00 (with possible variations per store).

• DIA: most stores will be open regular hours, also on Monday 8.

• Carrefour: hypermarkets and supermarkets open until 22:00; Carrefour Express, until approximately 15:00.

With these differences between chains and establishments, companies recommend checking the specific hours of each store before traveling, especially on a long weekend that concentrates one of the largest commercial influxes prior to Christmas.

Chains with reduced or variable schedules during the long weekend

Some chains have opted for more flexible opening hours for this long weekend. Aldi will incorporate reduced openings (approximately from 9:30 am to 9:30 pm) in certain stores. Stores such as the one located in Fuencarral will extend their opening hours until 22:00 hours, but not all will follow this pattern, so individual consultation is essential.

Meanwhile, El Corte Inglés, Hipercor and Supercor will operate normally on December 6, maintaining their 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. slot, both on Saturday and Monday.

At Ahorramás, Saturday opening will be limited to its typical holiday opening hours: from 9:00 to 15:00. Meanwhile, Alcampo will open most of its centers, although with different schedules depending on the establishment, which is why they refer to their official website to confirm each address.

Froiz, on the other hand, has decided to close most of its stores on Constitution Day.

Checking before leaving, the best option

The combination of the beginning of December, the long weekend and the proximity of Christmas makes these days one of the busiest shopping times of the year. For this reason, all the chains agree on one recommendation: check the updated schedules on their digital platforms beforehand.

Although most supermarkets in Madrid will be open on Saturday, December 6, there are significant differences depending on the chain, location or store format. Checking the opening hours before you go can help you avoid queues, unnecessary waiting or unexpected closures in the middle of the holiday.

La entrada Mercadona’s December long weekend opening hours: when and where to shop se publicó primero en La Voz De Ibiza.

Secondly, the company has guaranteed the future employment of the employees: the entire workforce will be relocated to other nearby supermarkets, both in Llucmajor and Palma. Mercadona assures that there will be no layoffs and that all workers will keep their position and conditions within the company.

The closure is due to the impossibility of refurbishing the premises to incorporate the new internal distributions, energy efficiency systems and technological equipment that characterize the latest generation format. According to the company, the space does not allow for the necessary modifications to meet current standards.

Despite this closure, Mercadona stresses that it will not abandon the area and will continue to operate normally in the municipality and surrounding area. The chain maintains several stores fully adapted to the new model in the Balearic Islands.

The supermarket will remain open and providing service until the scheduled closing date approaches, at which time staff relocation will be staggered.

La entrada What will happen to the Mercadona in Arenal Park? The chain confirms that it will close in 2026 and clarifies the future of its workers. se publicó primero en La Voz De Ibiza.

The situation has raised doubts as to whether the chain has modified its production model, but the company points out that the adjustment is temporary and is directly related to the sanitary measures applied as a result of the spread of avian flu in Spain and in several European countries.

A one-off decrease due to sanitary restrictions

Avian influenza has forced restrictions on many poultry farms in the country, including the need to keep hens in controlled areas to avoid contagion.

This preventive measure affects farms that, under normal conditions, produce eggs from alternative systems, such as farms with free-range or floor-raised hens.

In the case of Mercadona, this context has temporarily reduced the availability of eggs from cage-free hens, which usually represent a majority of its supply. The company stresses that this decrease is not a change in its commercial strategy, but a direct consequence of the health situation.

Once the veterinary restrictions are lifted, the company expects to return to normal supply levels.

A long-term plan that remains in force

Despite the occasional adjustments, Mercadona maintains its goal of sourcing 100% of its fresh eggs from cage-free hens. In recent years, the chain has developed a transformation plan that involves significant investments in facilities, changes in production models and adaptation of its suppliers.

The company has already earmarked more than 200 million euros for this transition, and the forecast is for more than 400 million euros once the entire process has been completed. The planned progress is being maintained, even though part of the operations have been temporarily affected by the avian flu.

The company insists that it will resume the planned rhythm as soon as sanitary conditions allow normal activity on the farms.

What are Mercadona’s changes in the sale of eggs?

In order to guarantee future supply and reinforce the cage-free model, Mercadona continues to make progress in the implementation and expansion of facilities adapted to this production format.

Recent examples include projects of suppliers such as Huevos Guillén in Utiel, with nearly 250,000 hens in alternative systems; the farm in Gáldar, with another 100,000 hens; and several expansions in areas such as Bullas, Abárzuza or Avícola Barco, where facilities have been added that together allow reaching more than 300,000 hens in open poultry houses.

In turn, several collaborating companies are progressively transforming their combined systems to operate entirely under the cage-free model. This adaptation will reduce dependence on traditional structures and increase the stability of supply in exceptional situations such as those caused by avian influenza.

La entrada Why are eggs missing in Mercadona: what is happening and when will the usual supply be restored? se publicó primero en La Voz De Ibiza.

• Mercadona establishes a new limit for cash payments: how much can you use per purchase and what currencies does it accept?

The season, which has just started and will last until approximately August, will be entirely based on the production of different strategic citrus growing areas of the country. The company will work with oranges from fields in the Valencian Community, Andalusia, the Region of Murcia and Catalonia, reinforcing its image as an ally of the Spanish countryside and the consumption of local produce.

Suppliers, farmers and origin of the oranges that arrive at Mercadona

The magnitude of the campaign is explained by the collaboration structure that Mercadona maintains with the primary sector. For this season, the chain presided by Juan Roig will rely on thirteen Spanish suppliers, among them:

• Martinavarro

• Bollo

• Fontestad

• Tono Fruits

• Frutinter

• Anecoop

• Agronostrum

• Among other operators specialized in citrus

These suppliers, in turn, work with more than 2,000 growers throughout the country, which makes it possible to articulate a broad and stable supply chain, key to ensuring that oranges reach the shelves continuously throughout the campaign.

The company stresses that these alliances not only ensure volume and continuity, but also quality and homogeneity in the product offered to the end customer.

Three formats to reach all households

Oranges of national origin will be available in the chain’s three usual formats:

• In bulk, for those who prefer to choose piece by piece.

• 3 kg nets, designed for more regular consumption.

• 5 kg nets, oriented to families and those who drink juice or fresh fruit on a daily basis.

With this, Mercadona continues the citrus campaign of national origin that began last October with tangerines and lemons, reinforcing its commitment to seasonal products and local supply.

Commitment to the national product and the primary sector

The company itself frames this move as part of a broader strategy: «This commitment is part of Mercadona’s quality and origin strategy, which promotes the consumption of products of national origin as long as they meet the required quality standards and there is sufficient availability to supply the stores».

According to company data, 85% of the total assortment currently comes from domestic suppliers, a percentage that places Mercadona as one of the main drivers of Spanish agri-food production.

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The joint work with its suppliers also makes it possible to extend the availability of domestic oranges until the end of the summer, something that was not always possible in previous campaigns. In this way, the chain emphasizes that the consumption of seasonal and proximity fruit is favored, in line with the demands of a consumer who is increasingly sensitive to the origin of what he/she buys.

Freshly squeezed juices: another boost to citrus consumption

Beyond the sale of oranges in traditional format, Mercadona maintains its commitment to the freshly squeezed orange juice service, present in all its stores since 2016. This format was born, they recall, from an innovation project together with the specialist supplier Zumex and with the direct participation of their own customers, who demanded convenient solutions for consuming fruit in the form of natural juice.

This service has several effects:

• Increases the use of fresh oranges within the store itself.

• Facilitates citrus consumption for those who prefer ready-to-go juice.

• Reinforces the perception of freshness in the fruit and vegetable section.

In practice, it becomes a complement to the sale of fruit in traditional format, expanding the options for all types of consumers.

Relationship with institutional campaigns and good business practices

The Valencian chain also highlights that it supports the initiatives of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food within the #alimentosdespaña strategy and the campaign «The richest country in the world», focused on highlighting the diversity and richness of Spanish agri-food production.

At the same time, Mercadona emphasizes its adherence to the Code of Good Commercial Practices in Food Procurement, a voluntary agreement that:

• Seeks to improve relations within the agrifood chain.

• It is part of the Law on Measures to Improve the Functioning of the Food Chain.

• It aims to promote more balanced relations between producers, industry and distribution.

With this combination of institutional commitments and sectoral agreements, the company seeks to reinforce its image as a responsible player in the agri-food ecosystem.

La entrada What is behind the new record of Spanish oranges to be sold by Mercadona in 2025-2026? se publicó primero en La Voz De Ibiza.

New salaries: up to 72% more than the SMI

With the increase, the company’s core staff will gain:

• 1,685 euros gross per month during the first year, 27% more than the Minimum Interprofessional Wage (SMI).
• 2,280 euros gross per month after more than four years of seniority, which represents 72% more than the SMI.

Profit sharing and additional premiums

Mercadona also reinforces its profit sharing policy, implemented since 2001. This year, in addition to the traditional profit bonus, workers will receive:

• An extra monthly allowance in March if they meet the established annual objectives.
• Two additional monthly payments for those with more than four years of seniority.
• An additional bonus equivalent to one month’s salary, as a reward for the effort made.

Impact on the Balearic Islands

In the Balearic Islands, where Mercadona employs 2,700 people, these salary and incentive improvements reinforce its position as one of the leading employers in the sector. The initiative is also in line with the company’s efforts to retain and motivate its workforce in a context of high inflation.

La entrada Mercadona’s example: another bonus and 8.5% salary increase for the entire workforce by 2025 se publicó primero en La Voz De Ibiza.