Gerard Alexandrescoff, 20, has returned to work at the Consum supermarket in Sant Boi de Llobregat this summer. He values the fixed hours and customer interaction as key to balancing with his studies.
The Consum supermarket in Sant Boi de Llobregat has rehired Gerard Alexandrescoff this summer, a 20-year-old who is repeating his experience as a shelf stacker and cashier. The distribution chain, like others in the sector, strengthens its workforce during the summer campaign to cover holidays and the increased demand in tourist areas.
According to the employers' association Asedas, which includes Mercadona, Lidl, DIA, Aldi, and Consum among others, the sector expects to make 10,500 new contracts across Spain during this summer of 2025. These positions often have the possibility of continuity and are considered a gateway to stable jobs.
A fixed schedule that allows studying and working
Gerard Alexandrescoff explains that he chose Consum because it was his go-to supermarket: "Every day for one reason or another I ended up going there," he says. After checking the website, he initially saw a position in a warehouse in the Zona Franca, but during the selection process, he made it clear that he preferred a customer-facing job.
Now, as a shelf stacker and cashier, he particularly appreciates the fixed hours that allow him to organise his time. "Having the assurance that it will be from a certain time to a certain time" and even the weekly rotation to "have one week with afternoons free" are aspects he highlights. Additionally, he acknowledges that he already knew "most of the staff" from the previous year, which "makes the work easier."
"I knew most of the staff from last year and the customers, which is key to making the work easier," Gerard states.
For now, he is only considering working in the summer, but if they call him next year, he would look at the offer "very positively."
The profile that supermarket chains are looking for
Asedas details that for the summer campaign, they seek a profile that is "mostly operational", with an emphasis on attitude: customer orientation, teamwork, and a willingness to learn. Previous experience is a plus, but not essential. Sources from the employers' association emphasize that the sector has gained social recognition, which makes it easier to fill vacancies in the summer, although challenges remain in attracting talent for more specialised roles.
In Sant Boi de Llobregat, the local Consum has once again trusted young people like Gerard, who find a pleasant and stable work environment in the supermarket. The chain, present throughout the province of Barcelona, thus offers an opportunity to enter the job market without giving up academic training.
Lucía Soler, 18, and a student of Nutrition and Dietetics in Zaragoza, has also started working at DIA this summer. She highlights that the experience has surprised her due to "all the work that goes on behind" a supermarket, something you "don't see when you just go shopping." She values teamwork and feels "very comfortable with her colleagues."
Meanwhile, Lucía Prieto, 23, and a preschool teacher, works at a Lupa in Cantabria while preparing for competitive exams. For her, the supermarket allows her to practice skills such as "empathy, conflict resolution, planning, and organisation" that she has developed during her training.
Opportunities for young people in the province
For residents of Sant Boi de Llobregat and the rest of the province of Barcelona, supermarkets are consolidating as a summer job option that combines stable hours and customer interaction. Chains like Consum, Mercadona, or Lidl usually open selection processes in spring to cover the months of July, August, and September.
Those interested can check the offers on each company's websites or at the actual establishments. The recommendation from young people who have repeated the experience is clear: if you enjoy interacting with people and are looking for a predictable schedule, the supermarket can be a good gateway to the job market.
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