Which shops to use in Spain for clothes, home goods and electronics

Terms used

• Estanco — The estanco is a licensed tobacconist that also sells stamps and some official forms.
• Droguería — The droguería is a shop for cleaning products and household supplies.
• Ferretería — The ferretería is a small hardware shop for tools, screws, keys and repairs.
• Bazar — The bazar is a general store selling cheap household items.

Key rules

• Clothes: Zara and Mango are mid-range, Primark is cheapest for basics, and Decathlon is for sport.
• Furniture: IKEA is the low-cost default, Conforama is mid-range and El Corte Inglés is higher-end.
• DIY: Leroy Merlin is the main DIY chain, Brico Depôt is cheaper and Bricomart is for bulk trade materials.
• Supermarkets: Mercadona, Lidl, Carrefour, Dia and Aldi are national, and each region adds its own chains.

Clothes: start with Zara, Mango or Primark

Zara is the best-known name for trend-led, mid-priced fashion. It belongs to the Inditex group, which also owns Pull&Bear, Bershka, Massimo Dutti, Stradivarius and Oysho. Mango is another mid-range choice, and H&M is also common.

• Cheap basics: Primark.
• Family clothes: Kiabi.
• Sportswear and gear: Decathlon.
• Smarter or classic styles: Cortefiel, Springfield and the Tendam brands (Women'secret, Pedro del Hierro).
• Catalonia: Desigual, a Catalan brand.

Home goods and furniture: match the shop to your budget

• Low cost, flat-pack: IKEA. It offers delivery and assembly services.
• Mid-range furniture and appliances: Conforama.
• Decorative, design-led pieces: Maisons du Monde, Zara Home, Sklum and Kave Home.
• Cheap small items: Tiger and Primark Home.
• Higher-end: El Corte Inglés.
• Local options: Muebles Boom and local furniture shops. Tapicerías handle upholstery.

For tools, paint, bathrooms, kitchens, garden and building materials, use a DIY chain:

• Leroy Merlin: the biggest, with the widest range.
• Brico Depôt: a cheaper option.
• Bricomart: best for bulk building and trade materials.
• Bauhaus and AKI: other DIY chains.

Large DIY stores are usually on the outskirts of cities, so plan on a car or delivery.

Electronics and phones

MediaMarkt, El Corte Inglés, Fnac and Worten cover most electronics and appliances. PcComponentes (online) and the official website are the main online options. For a phone, go to Phone House or to an Orange or Movistar shop, where you can also set up a contract.

El Corte Inglés: one store for many things

El Corte Inglés is Spain's main department store group. Its multi-floor stores sell clothing and shoes, cosmetics, home goods and furniture, electronics, sports gear, toys, books, music and jewellery. Most have a gourmet food hall or supermarket. Prices are mid to upper-mid, higher than discount chains, with frequent sales and a customer card. Stores usually open Monday to Saturday. Sunday opening varies by region, so check your local store.

Supermarkets differ by region

Mercadona, Dia, Carrefour, Lidl, Aldi and Alcampo are found across the country. Regional chains fill in the rest:

• Catalonia: Bonpreu/Esclat, Caprabo and Condis.
• Andalucía: Covirán, Supersol and some Hiper Dino.
• Valencia: Consum and Masymas. Mercadona is based here.
• País Vasco and Navarra: Eroski, Gadis and BM.
• Galicia: Gadis, Froiz and Eroski.
• Canarias: Hiperdino, Spar Gran Canaria and Mercadona.
• Madrid: Alcampo, Ahorramas and El Corte Inglés.

Electronics chains are largely national, so MediaMarkt, Fnac and El Corte Inglés work wherever you live. Stores are most dense in cities.

Small neighbourhood shops

For tobacco, stamps and some official forms, use an estanco. For cleaning products, use a droguería. For screws, keys and small repairs, a ferretería is quicker than a big DIY store. A bazar sells cheap general household items. The lookup below matches these to common errands.

Which shop for which errand: quick lookup

Which shop for which errand

• Zara, Mango, H&M or Pull&Bear: Buy everyday and trend-led clothes here. Go to Primark or Kiabi for cheap basics and family clothes, and to Decathlon for sportswear.

• IKEA or Conforama: Buy furniture here. IKEA is low-cost flat-pack with delivery and assembly services. Conforama is mid-range furniture and appliances. For decorative pieces, try Maisons du Monde.

• Leroy Merlin, Bricomart or Brico Depôt: Buy DIY supplies, tools, paint, bathroom and kitchen fittings and building materials here. Brico Depôt is the cheaper option, and Bricomart suits bulk or trade materials. Big DIY stores are usually on the city outskirts.

• MediaMarkt, El Corte Inglés or Fnac: Buy electronics and appliances here. Use PcComponentes or the official website online, and a Phone House, Orange or Movistar shop for phones.

• Estanco (tobacconist): Buy postage stamps (sellos), envelopes, pens, phone top-ups and, in some shops, transport top-ups or lottery cards. Many also sell official fee stamps (pólizas, timbres). The range varies by shop.

• Droguería: Buy cleaning products, detergents, paint sundries and basic hygiene items here, sometimes in bulk.

• Ferretería (hardware shop): Buy tools, screws, locks, electrical and plumbing parts and a little paint here. They usually cut keys too.

• Bazar (general store): Buy cheap homeware, stationery, toys, decorations, small appliances and seasonal goods here. Opening hours are often long.

• Ferretería, cerrajería (locksmith) or key kiosk: Get keys cut here. Kiosks in shopping centres and supermarkets also do it. High-security keys may need a specialist locksmith.

• Zapatero or arreglos de ropa shop: Take shoes to a zapatero (shoe repair), which often cuts keys too. Take clothes alterations to an arreglos de ropa shop, a costurera, a tailor or a dry cleaner (tintorería).

Frequently asked questions

Is El Corte Inglés open on Sundays?

It depends on the region: stores usually open Monday to Saturday through the day, while Sunday opening varies by region. Check the opening hours of your local store before you go on a Sunday.

Which supermarkets are common in Catalonia, Andalucía or Galicia?

Mercadona, Dia, Carrefour, Lidl and Aldi are found almost everywhere, but each region adds its own names. Catalonia has Bonpreu/Esclat, Caprabo and Condis. Andalucía has Covirán and Supersol, and Galicia has Gadis, Froiz and Eroski.

Where can I buy cheap household items when I first move in?

IKEA is the usual choice for low-cost flat-pack furniture and household items, with delivery and assembly available. Tiger and Primark Home work for cheap small items. For a mid-range sofa or appliances, look at Conforama.

Where can I buy a phone in Spain?

You can buy a phone at MediaMarkt, El Corte Inglés, Fnac or Worten, or at Phone House and Orange or Movistar shops if you want it with a plan. PcComponentes and the official website sell online.

References

1. amazon.es