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Space that once belonged to Supermercado Nacional, a brand linked to Carrefour, will be occupied by Macromix Atacado in Porto Alegre, as part of an expansion aiming at new stores, jobs, and stronger competition in the gaucho retail market
A traditional point of food retail in Porto Alegre will gain a new operation. The former building of Supermercado Nacional, a brand linked to the Carrefour Group, in Cidade Baixa, will be occupied by Macromix Atacado, a wholesale chain managed by the gaucho holding UnidaSul.
The project foresees an investment of R$ 25 million and the creation of about 150 direct jobs. The movement draws attention because it occurs at a well-known address in the gaucho capital and at a time of reorganization of stores left by Carrefour in Rio Grande do Sul.
The change, however, is not a general replacement of Carrefour in the country. The case involves a specific property, previously occupied by Nacional, and is part of an increasingly intense regional competition among supermarket chains, wholesale, and proximity retail.
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What changes in the former space of Nacional
Macromix Atacado will occupy the building left by Supermercado Nacional in Cidade Baixa, Porto Alegre. According to UnidaSul, the unit was planned to follow the standard of the Esteio operation, with focus on services and a broader shopping experience for the consumer.
In practice, the proposal combines characteristics of wholesale with conveniences aimed at the end customer. This model usually attracts both small merchants and families looking for larger purchases, competitive prices, and variety in one place.
The new store also reinforces Macromix’s entry into a neighborhood with high traffic, residential presence, bars, services, and a constant flow of consumers. For the chain, occupying a point already known to the public reduces part of the challenge of building a new commercial reference from scratch.
Why the change draws attention in the gaucho retail market
The movement happens after significant changes involving the former Nacional brand in Rio Grande do Sul. According to information from SA+ Conteúdo, in June 2025 Carrefour had confirmed the conversion of five Nacional units to Carrefour Bairro, while other stores were in the process of being sold or deactivated.
This scenario has opened up space for regional networks interested in growing in locations that already had a history of supermarket operations. For the consumer, the change may mean new shopping options; for the market, it represents a direct competition for location, price, and loyalty.
The central point is that the food retail sector in Rio Grande do Sul is undergoing a reorganization of forces. Local and regional networks are looking to take advantage of spaces left by large groups, while the wholesale club format remains one of the most aggressive in the fight for sales volume.
Larger investment shows that the competition goes beyond a single store
The arrival of Macromix in Cidade Baixa is not an isolated move. UnidaSul announced in March 2026 a plan of R$ 433 million in investments until 2029, divided between opening new stores, modernizing units, and improvements in systems and management processes.
Within this package, the company reported that R$ 350 million will be allocated to opening new units under the Rissul and Macromix Atacado brands. Another R$ 83 million will be applied to the revitalization of existing stores and operational modernization.
For 2026, the company projected five openings in Rio Grande do Sul. The list includes two Rissul units, a Macromix store in Cidade Baixa, Porto Alegre, and new Macromix operations in Dois Irmãos and Guaíba.
This plan shows that the company seeks to grow on two fronts. Rissul remains more connected to traditional retail, while Macromix strengthens its presence in the wholesale club format, which has gained space in Brazil by combining price, volume, and a leaner operation.
Job openings may boost Cidade Baixa
The forecast of about 150 direct jobs for the new unit is one of the most relevant points for the local economy. The positions should involve typical supermarket operation functions, such as customer service, restocking, cashier, butcher, bakery, internal logistics, sector leadership, and administrative support.
In addition to direct jobs, a store of this size usually stimulates suppliers, service providers, transportation, maintenance, and activities in the surrounding area. In traditional neighborhoods, the reoccupation of a commercial property also helps to avoid vacant spaces and maintain consumer flow.
UnidaSul also reported that the five operations planned for 2026 should generate more than 670 direct jobs. This number reinforces that the expansion is not limited to the Cidade Baixa address but is part of a larger growth strategy in the Gaucho market.
What do you think about this change in Gaucho retail? Can the arrival of a wholesale club in a former Carrefour location improve prices and options for consumers or just increase competition among large networks? Leave your opinion in the comments.
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