SEVERAL supermarkets in Spain have started opening slots exclusively for shoppers aged 65 and over, and most have changed their regular hours – as well as their procedures – during the lockdown.
Hours have been changing in the last week or so as the State of Alarm continues, but the most recent update is believed to still be current at the time of publication, and anecdotal evidence shows this information continues to be correct.
Condis supermarkets is giving priority to the over-65s between 09.00 and 10.00 every morning in all its stores, and Carrefour has made the same time slot 'priority' for this age group, and will also prioritise the over-65s when dealing with online or telephone orders.
The latter is only for the Madrid region at present, but may extend nationwide if the need arises.
El Corte Inglés – the 'Waitrose of Spain', which is normally only present in the major cities – attends firstly to those of State pension age between 10.00 and 11.00 in its Hípercor outlets, and between 09.00 and 10.00 in its Supercor stores, as well as offering 'any other assistance needed' for this age group such as fetching goods for those who cannot do so themselves.
Caprabo also, personally, helps the over-65s with their shopping if they need it once they are inside the building, and they are able to jump the queue between 09.00 and 10.00.
This also applies to anyone who is younger, but disabled or with restricted mobility.
The same applies in Eroski, in its Eroski hypermarkets, Eroski Center, Eroski City and its Eroski Familia self-service establishments, although on a 'priority' rather than an 'exclusive' basis.
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