Alcampo and Carrefour lead sustainable supermarkets in Spain, according to OCU
At a time when responsible consumption and sustainability have become essential pillars for consumers, a new study by the Organization of Consumers and Users (OCU) has ranked Alcampo and Carrefour as the most sustainable supermarkets in Spain, highlighting their effective practices to reduce food waste and promote more environmentally friendly shopping habits among customers. Sustainability in the food retail sector is no longer just an aspirational concept: for many chains, it has become a tangible reality reflected in measurable in-store actions and consumer purchasing behavior. The OCU report, developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Rights, Consumer Affairs and the 2030 Agenda, clearly reflects this shift, focusing on the practical implementation of sustainable policies rather than on promises or slogans.
What does the OCU ranking measure?
The ranking carried out by the OCU evaluates the main supermarket chains in Spain based on three major criteria:
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Visible in-store measures: concrete actions to minimize waste, such as reduced prices on products close to their expiration date.
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Customer information: how supermarkets communicate the availability of sustainable or lower-impact products.
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Social commitment and responsible practices: from selling reused products to anti-waste packs and surplus recovery strategies.
These measures reflect a comprehensive approach that spans logistics, in-store management, and consumer education on the importance of reducing food waste. The result is a list that allows for an objective comparison of sustainability performance across different supermarket chains.
The leaders: Alcampo and Carrefour
According to the study, Alcampo achieved the highest score, with 89 out of 100 points, closely followed by Carrefour with 86 points. Both chains stand out for the breadth and clarity of the sustainable initiatives implemented in their stores.
Alcampo
Alcampo stands out for having the most comprehensive and visible policies, making it easier for consumers to find discounted products close to their expiration date, anti-waste packs, or discounted “imperfect” fruits and vegetables. These initiatives not only reduce food waste but also make sustainable consumption more accessible.
In addition, customer communication plays a key role: clear labeling, strategic product placement, and visible signage make sustainable initiatives easy to identify and use.
Carrefour
Carrefour has also implemented a solid set of effective practices, including similar discount strategies for near-expiration products and awareness campaigns to encourage more responsible shopping habits. Its approach combines waste reduction with active consumer engagement in sustainability efforts.
Which other chains stand out?
Although Alcampo and Carrefour lead the ranking, other chains such as Lidl, El Corte Inglés and Aldi also appear in the top five, albeit with lower scores. This indicates that while progress has been made, there is still room to further standardize sustainable practices across Spain’s food retail sector.
The impact of the new law against food waste
The relevance of this study is reinforced by supermarkets’ compliance with the new Food Loss and Waste Prevention Law, which came into force in March 2025 and aligns with the goals of the UN 2030 Agenda. This regulation requires large retailers to implement measures to reduce food waste nationwide, accelerating the adoption of best practices throughout the industry.
Key objectives of this legislation include a 50% reduction in retail and household food waste, as well as a significant decrease in losses across the supply chain. Field research included in the OCU study shows how stores have adapted their operations to meet these new requirements, resulting in both visible and structural changes.
Beyond the numbers: sustainable practices that make a difference
The strategies that have positioned Alcampo and Carrefour as sustainability leaders go beyond simple discounts:
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Discounts on near-expiration products: reduce waste and encourage consumers to buy products that would otherwise be discarded.
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Anti-waste packs and reused products: creative options that transform surplus into appealing products.
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Sale of imperfect fruits and vegetables: promoting products usually rejected for aesthetic reasons, reducing waste at the source.
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Clear consumer information: transparent communication about sustainability and lower-impact product availability.
These practices not only reduce the environmental impact of supermarkets but also empower consumers to make more sustainable choices in their daily shopping.
What does this mean for consumers?
For shoppers concerned about responsible consumption, these results offer several advantages:
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Greater transparency: the ability to choose chains that prioritize sustainability.
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Access to lower-impact products: from imperfect produce to discounted near-expiration foods.
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Environmental contribution: shopping at supermarkets with effective waste-reduction policies helps lower the ecological footprint of everyday consumption.
