On May 8, 2025, Alcampo, one of Spain's major supermarket chains, announced a significant workforce adjustment that will impact up to 710 employees, representing approximately 3% of its total workforce of 23,300. This adjustment is part of a broader plan that includes the closure of up to 25 supermarkets across the country, a move described by the company as necessary for its transformation and adaptation to changing market conditions.
The decision comes as Alcampo aims to streamline operations and enhance its service delivery in a rapidly evolving retail landscape. The closures will affect 152 establishments, of which 25 will shut down completely, while the remaining stores will undergo staff reductions. The company has yet to specify which stores will close, but it has provided a list of those affected by the layoffs. According to Alcampo's calculations, 68% of the layoffs will impact between one and three workers per store.
Among the hypermarkets slated for closure are locations in Alcorcón, La Vega (Alcobendas), Majadahonda, Castellón, Albacete, Sanlúcar, Jerez, and Sevilla Este. The majority of the layoffs will occur in supermarkets, with only eight hypermarkets being directly affected. The bulk of the closures will take place in regions such as Castilla y León, Madrid, and Aragón, which together account for 78% of the impacted locations.
In Castilla y León alone, 43 establishments will be affected, with the most significant numbers in Burgos (14), León (8), Valladolid (8), Salamanca (7), Palencia (3), and Zamora (3). Madrid follows with 39 affected stores, while Aragón has 37, primarily in Zaragoza (34), along with two in Teruel and one in Huesca. Other regions with impacted stores include Asturias (10), Cantabria (5), La Rioja and Galicia (4 each), Andalucía (3), and Navarra, Castilla-La Mancha, and País Vasco (2 each). The Comunidad Valenciana will only see the Castellón hypermarket affected.
Alcampo's strategic shift comes on the heels of its acquisition of 224 supermarkets in 2023, aimed at increasing proximity to customers. However, the company acknowledged that some of these locations did not meet its operational standards or were not ideally situated. "In this path of transformation, it is essential to recover results and ensure sustainable growth in each and every store," the company stated.
As part of its adjustment plan, Alcampo will also reduce the commercial space of 15 of its larger stores to adapt to new consumer habits, which increasingly favor smaller, more convenient shopping options. Additionally, the company is investing in the renovation and modernization of over 60 stores, enhancing its online commerce capabilities, and launching a logistics platform to improve operational efficiency. Alcampo has also committed to a long-term agreement for renewable energy supply, reflecting its focus on sustainability.
The announcement has raised concerns among employees and unions, particularly the CCOO (Comisiones Obreras), which has been vocal about the need for transparency and fairness in the process. The union has received the list of affected establishments and is preparing to negotiate with the company to minimize the impact on workers. The next steps include forming a negotiating table on May 12, where union representatives will discuss strategies to reduce the number of affected employees and secure the best possible severance packages.
CCOO has emphasized that their primary goal is to maintain employment and ensure that any layoffs occur under the best possible conditions. The union has stated, "We will face this difficult situation with the clear objective of preserving jobs and, if there are departures, ensuring they happen in the best conditions possible."
Alcampo's decision has drawn mixed reactions from employees and customers alike. While some understand the necessity of such measures in a competitive market, others express disappointment at the potential loss of jobs and the impact on local communities. The closures and layoffs come at a time when many retailers are grappling with the challenges posed by changing consumer behaviors, economic pressures, and a push for more sustainable practices.
In the coming weeks, as negotiations unfold, the focus will be on how Alcampo can balance its operational needs with the welfare of its employees. The company has reiterated its commitment to growth and value creation within the Spanish retail sector, aiming to offer competitive prices and a wide range of products while supporting local suppliers.
As Alcampo embarks on this transformative journey, the implications of its decisions will be closely monitored by stakeholders across the spectrum, from employees to customers and investors. The outcome of the negotiations with unions will play a crucial role in shaping the future of the company and its workforce.
