Local Retailers Welcome HiperDino’s Entry into La Gomera

Local traders in La Gomera are expressing enthusiastic support for the upcoming opening of a HiperDino supermarket in San Sebastián, viewing it as a positive development for the community.

Community Reactions to HiperDino’s Arrival

Fernando Morales, the manager of the Spanish Confederation of Small and Medium Enterprises (Cepyme) in La Gomera, has made it clear that local retailers are not only accepting but are actually welcoming the arrival of HiperDino. He highlights that the population of La Gomera, especially in San Sebastián, has experienced considerable growth in recent years. The recent closure of Tu Trébol has underscored the inadequacy of the current supermarket options available to residents. With SPAR being the only operator on the island, many locals have found it increasingly difficult to meet their grocery needs, leading to a growing demand for more diverse shopping options.

Challenges in Development and Progress

Dinosol, the parent company of HiperDino, initially announced plans in 2022 to establish a hypermarket in San Sebastián, which would also include a housing development. However, the project has faced several delays. This past summer, three years after the initial announcement, Dinosol submitted the Detail Study UA–El Calvario 1 to the San Sebastián City Council. This document is currently under public review and outlines the regulations for the proposed construction site. It is critical to understand that this study is merely a preliminary step in the planning process and does not represent the actual project. As a result, it may take several years before the HiperDino supermarket and the associated housing developments are realized, leaving the community in anticipation.

Shifts in Local Shopping Habits

Despite the ongoing delays, Cepyme argues that La Gomera is in urgent need of a large supermarket to address the concerning trend of residents shopping off the island. Morales points out that many locals are compelled to travel to Tenerife for their grocery needs due to the high cost of living on La Gomera. The introduction of HiperDino is viewed as a pivotal move to enhance competition and ultimately lower prices for consumers. Currently, SPAR holds a dominant position in the supermarket landscape on the island, operating nearly a dozen stores. The situation is only marginally improved by Tu Trébol, which has recently lost its concession to operate in the municipal market, and smaller chains like Suma and Udaco, which are limited to specific areas and cannot adequately serve the entire community.

Local Government’s Support for the Initiative

In San Sebastián, there is a notably favorable attitude towards the establishment of Dinosol Supermarkets. The local government, which has approved the Detail Study, is joined by the opposition party, PSOE, in advocating for the project to move forward without unnecessary bureaucratic delays. When Dinosol first proposed its plan in 2022, the PSOE expressed their support, emphasizing that the addition of new retail options would foster competition and help reduce prices for consumers. This bipartisan support reflects a shared understanding of the potential benefits that HiperDino could bring to the local economy.

Anticipated Benefits for the Community

The arrival of HiperDino is expected to have a transformative impact on the shopping landscape in La Gomera. Local leaders believe that the supermarket’s entry will not only provide residents with more choices but also stimulate economic growth by creating jobs and attracting more visitors to the area. Furthermore, the competition introduced by HiperDino could lead to better pricing strategies among existing retailers, ultimately benefiting consumers who have long felt the pinch of high grocery costs.

Key points

• Local traders in La Gomera support the arrival of HiperDino, citing population growth.
• Dinosol announced plans for a hypermarket in San Sebastián in 2022, but the project has faced delays.
• The Detail Study UA–El Calvario 1 is currently under public review by the San Sebastián City Council.
• SPAR is the dominant supermarket operator in La Gomera, with limited competition from Tu Trébol and smaller stores.
• Community leaders believe HiperDino’s entry will help lower grocery prices for residents.
• The local government and opposition party support the project, emphasizing its potential benefits.
• The anticipated HiperDino supermarket could create jobs and stimulate local economic growth.