Supermarkets (Supermercados) O.C.

One thing that you are never far away from on the Orihuela Costa is a Supermarket.
Sometimes it fels like there are hundreds of them...still..it does provide you with a great variety and choice and, for those who like a good old nose around, compare prices and get the best value for money, then you are in the right place. Most supermarkets send little magazines into your post box, informing you of all the latest offers and run dates. Brilliant for catching that bargain.
Spanish supermarkets are fantastic for fresh seafood (& frozen, come to that), local produce like wines, cheeses, chorizos and many delicacies that you may not have back in your country (& some tat you may never wish to try), but they are generally all of good quality

As a rule, Supermarkets and most other types of store do not open on Sundays, the main exception being July, August and September (and at certain Fiestas, particularly around Christmas & Easter ), when the visitors from Spain & Abroad flock in their droves, sending profit margins soaring and the tills ringing with joy.
For the initiated 24 / 7 supermarket sweeper, this can be a pain, but in reality, it is nice to plan your Sunday and use it to do something more pleasurable than running round a supermarket or mall, deciding what to have for dinner.

Get to know your favourites.
With the plethora of Supermarkets around, we have given you a list of the best known ones all dooted along and around the Orihuerla Costa:-

MERCADONA.
Spanish Supermarket chain, own brand products are of a very high standard and very reasonably priced. Great for everything, but especially fresh milk (cheapest around per litre).
Throughout the Orihuela Costa.
LOCATION:-
There are Mercadonna everywhere in the area....
Los Altos (at the roundabout, Avenida Escorpiones), Playa Flamenca (next to Town Hall car park), Los Dolses Comercial Centre, La Zenia and Campoamor.
Monday - Saturday 09.15 - 21.15
Closed Sunday & Fiestas (throughout the year)

CARREFOUR.
The Favourite of the French. Massive European (& worldwide) chain, have a mid-sized store in Playa Flamenca & a Hypermarket in Torrevieja.
Great for electricals & international products (but are pricey). Have machine for a selection of ex pat newpapers & magazines.
LOCATION:-
Carrefour Hypermarket is located on Carratera Creviente - Torrevieja (next to Habaneras Centre) and off the N332 at Playa Flamenca
Monday - Saturday 09.00 - 22.30
Sundays & Fiestas 09.30-14.30 ( Sundays only in July, August & Setember)
Open certain other Sundays & Fiestas (check shops for details)

CONSUM.
German chain, very popular on the Orihuela Costa. Great for loose fruits & veggies (if you're not at the market). Good range of international products (again, pricey).
Throughout the O.C. - Have machine for a selection of ex pat newpapers & magazines.
LOCATION:-
Consum supermarkets can be found at Los Altos & La Zenia
Monday - Saturday 09.00 - 21.30
Sundays & Fiestas 09.30-14.30 ( Sundays only in July, August & Setember)
Open certain other Sundays & Fiestas (check shops for details)

LIDL / ALDI.
German favourites. Always bargains to be found. Great for in-store butcher (selected stores only)
Throughout the O.C. (1 of each off of the N332, Punta Prima & Playa Flamenca).
LOCATION:-
Lidl have 2 supermarkets in the area, Playa Flamenca & La Zenia
Aldi also have 2 supermarkets, Just off the N332 at Punta Prima (take the slip road after the roundabout) and Campoamor.
Monday - Saturday 09.00 - 21.30
Sundays & Fiestas 10.00-15.00 ( Sundays only in July, August & Setember)
Open certain other Sundays & Fiestas (check shops for details)

GAMA.
Another Spanish local. Smaller, but always special offers in store. Generally cheaper for international products (vis special offers)
Throughout the Orihuela Costa.
Monday - Saturday 09.00 - 22.00
Sundays & Fiestas 09.30-14.30
Open certain other Sundays & Fiestas (check shops for details)

SUPER VALU.
An Irish chain, great for fresh bread (although they all pretty much are).
LOCATION:-
Los Balcones & Los Dolses(Villamartin).
Monday - Saturday 09.00 - 22.30
Sundays & Fiestas 09.30-14.30 ( Sundays only in July, August & Setember)
Open certain other Sundays & Fiestas (check shops for details)

VIDAL.
Newbie on the Orihuela Costa, very busy, offering the usual ranges, in store bakery and special offers.
LOCATION:-
Next to LIDL, N332.
Monday - Saturday 09.00 - 22.30
Sundays in summer 10.00 - 15.00

EROSKI.
Located in the Punta Marina Mall in Punta Prima, Eroski is good value for money, has a wide range of products and also has out of town Hypermarkets (the closest being Elche & Nuevo Condomina Centre on the outskirts of Murcia)
Monday - Saturday 09.15 - 21.15
Sundays in Summer & certain fiestas 09.30 - 14.30

ICELAND (Overseas Supermarkets).
British favourite, packing them in. A recent explosion of these stores across the Costa Blanca & Calida, has got Brits all in a jitter. Great for..those bits from home you miss, only supermarket to stock fresh Mange Touts & Baby Sweetcorn.
LOCATION:-
Nearest store to the Orihuela Costa - Torrevieja ( off of Avenida Cortes Valenciana).
Monday - Saturday 09.00 - 22.30
Open certain other Sundays & Fiestas (check shops for details)

There are also an impressive range of British Supermarkets & German Supermarkets catering to the tastes of home, throughout the whole of the Orihuela Costa, offering the delights.
There are also selections of British style, butchers, paper-shops, card shops and pretty much anything else that you can think of.
A few 24 hour shops exist, selling cigarettes (machines), alcohol, papers & magazines and odds & sods for those who like their nights and are a bit peckish on the way home, or for that (very) early pint of milk.