English 
Spanish 
4 min read
6 comments
The closure of Carrefour reflects a transformation in Brazilian retail. Experts point to the growth of wholesale retailers and the decline of traditional hypermarkets. With changes in consumer behavior, small markets and emporiums are gaining ground. The future of retail points to necessary adaptations in the face of new demands.
Abandoned shopping carts and empty shelves now occupy the space that, for decades, was synonymous with variety and convenience for thousands of consumers.
The closure of the activities of Carrefour hypermarket at Shopping Center Norte, in the north of São Paulo, sparked debate about the future of the business model that dominated Brazilian retail for years.
The closure of this unit, which had been operating since 1987, is more than a local change; it represents a trend of transformation in national retail.
- Bridge worth almost R$400 MILLION takes shape and already has a completion date
- State of São Paulo will have a new bridge! Project valued at 27 MILLION has just been approved with the right to a roundabout and adaptation of a double lane
- APPROVED! Important railway will receive investment of 500 MILLION to be expanded and become one of the main railways in Brazil
- Petrobras gets a New Year's resolution in court and the fact alerts companies such as Vale, Americanas and others
The fall of hypermarkets and the rise of wholesalers
According to consultancy Euromonitor International, the segment recorded a 25% drop in revenue in 2023, compared to 2019.
Meanwhile, wholesale retailers saw a significant jump of 84%, reaching R$136,7 billion in the same period.
Consumers, increasingly looking to save money, prefer wholesale offers for food and basic items.
Alberto Serrentino, partner at Varese Retail, highlighted that Hypermarkets face an inevitable decline in the face of competitiveness from wholesalers.
According to him, the model that previously made sense in the 80s and 90s is no longer able to attract the same flow of consumers.
The search for low prices in wholesale stores and the convenience of smaller, specialized stores have shaped Brazilian consumer behavior.
This trend is not restricted to Brazil.
As reported by Folha de S. Paul, hypermarkets in other countries also face similar difficulties, due to the growth of e-commerce and the popularity of convenience stores.
Carrefour's decision and its impact on the region
Carrefour announced the closure of the unit in Center Norte on December 21, 2024, even before the scheduled date, which would be the last day of the year.
The decision was made after a stock clearance sale that attracted many consumers in the final days of operation.
The management of Shopping Center Norte reported that the area previously occupied by Carrefour is undergoing studies to define its future occupation. There is speculation about the possibility of a new, smaller supermarket or even a leisure space.
In an official statement, Carrefour stated that the closure was requested by the shopping mall's management.
Of the unit's 168 employees, most have already been relocated to other stores in the group, and the company is still looking for alternatives for the remaining employees.
Despite this, experts see the move as part of a broader restructuring.
Between January and September 2024, the group closed 174 points of sale across the country, according to Folha de S. Paul.
The role of Shopping Center Norte
With 40 years of existence, Shopping Center Norte is one of the main shopping centers in the north of São Paulo.
In 2024, the project announced an expansion of more than 6 m² of gross leasable area, with investments of R$100 million and the arrival of new renowned brands, such as Diesel, Farm and Zara.
This movement indicates that the shopping mall is seeking to modernize and diversify its store portfolio to better meet current consumer demands.
The closure of Carrefour, however, represents a significant change in the dynamics of the mall, which previously had the hypermarket as one of its main anchors.
Eugene Foganholo, partner at Mixxer Business Development, highlighted that Modern consumers prefer more specialized and practical solutions, moving away from the traditional hypermarket model.
In addition, Shopping Center Norte is part of a multipurpose complex called Cidade Center Norte, which includes Lar Center (specializing in furniture and decoration), Expo Center Norte and the Novotel hotel.
For the future, the complex promises to bring even more new features, such as the Bioma residential condominium, consolidating itself as a diversified hub in the region.
The decline of hypermarkets: a global trend?
Experts point out that the decline of hypermarkets is not exclusive to Brazil. In several countries, this model faces similar challenges, such as the rise of e-commerce and the growth of smaller, more agile formats.
According to Folha de S. Paul analyzed, Store closures and adaptation to new consumer behavior are inevitable trends for large chains like Carrefour.
One example of this global movement is the growth of specialty stores and local markets, which offer more personalized and convenient experiences.
In Brazil, fruit and vegetable stores, emporiums and small markets have gained space, presenting themselves as viable and attractive alternatives for consumers.
The future of food retail
Although Carrefour claims to believe in the strength of hypermarkets, the reality points to an increasingly fragmented market.
Small local markets, emporiums and fruit and vegetable stores have been gaining ground, offering more personalized and convenient experiences to consumers.
The rise of wholesale retailers, with competitive prices, also consolidates a paradigm shift in Brazilian retail.
The Carrefour case in Center Norte symbolizes the beginning of a new era for Brazilian retail. The question that remains is: Will this be the definitive end of hypermarkets or a necessary transformation for their survival?
The debate remains open as consumers, businesses and experts watch the next chapter in this story unfold.
Good theft is dead theft
Everything at Carrefour is more expensive than at any small supermarket in the village
France plunders the Amazon and its colonies…
We live without you here!
Ti**** material from militant media that defends prisoner nine, and his corrupt Brazil reaching the abyss
The vagal spoke supported by social program
Wholesale stores always have promotions, cheap and affordable items. Why would I go to a hypermarket?????
Not to mention that local markets are even cheaper than wholesalers, such as the evangelical market.