Shopping Centers & Supermarkets

Carrefour

In 2004 the French retail group Carrefour opened a "hyper-market" in Acapulco on Pie de la Cuesta before the Ejido. Because it is not on the Costera Alemán, many visitors to Acapulco may not know it is there. Carrefour is the largest retailer in Europe and the world's second largest (after Wal-Mart). It invented the phrase "hyper-market" to describe its approach to retailing, in which the stores were almost ten times the size of the conventional "super" market, and offered a complete line of groceries and a complete range of department store merchandise in the same location. The Acapulco store offers groceries, hardware, clothing and items for the home and automobile. Though somewhat removed from the Costera Alemán, Carrefour serves those who come to visit Acapulco on the far west side of town. Avenida Pie de la Cuesta, Acapulco, Gro., México

Wal-Mart

Acapulco has two "Super Wal-Marts"- one in Icacos on the bay side, and one on the Diamante side on the way to the airport. Both are large, general merchandise stores, and both are full-scale super markets as well. North American tourists often enjoy shopping at Wal-Mart because it can have products and brands familiar to people who live in the U.S. and Canada and not easily located elsewhere. The lobby of the Costa Azul store has an internet café, a beauty parlor, an Estrella de Oro ticket terminal, a Blockbuster Video, a Subway, Domino's, McDonald's, a photo shop, and means of paying cable and electric bills. 500 Costera Miguel Alemán (Costa Azul) 39850 Acapulco, Gro., México +52 744 469 0203 Boulevard de las Naciones 802 (Granjas del Marques), 39890 Acapulco, Gro. México +52 744 443 4617 to 4626 (fax is -4627). Open 24 Hours

Comercial Mexicana

Acapulco enjoys having Comercial Mexicana outlets throughout the city. Several of them are more like regular super markets or grocery stores, without much emphasis on clothing or hard goods. Visitors to Acapulco report that the prices at Comercial Mexicana seem very reasonable, and that the facilities are clean and inviting. Midweek the produce is usually on special, and the deli offers sales on the weekends. Like its competitors, each location of Comercial Mexicana operates a complete meat department, produce department, bakery and deli department (for processed meats and dairy). On or near the Costera there are several: one close to downtown, another near the Condesa area, and one in Costa Azul. The largest by far, called the "Mega-Mex," is the result of a 2004 remodel, and sits just two blocks inland from the Costera at the Diana monument. It carries a broad range of merchandise, including electronics, auto supplies, and even bedding, mattresses and furniture. Costera Miguel Alemán and Pascual Cervera (Costa Azul), 39850 Acapulco, Gro., México +52 744 484 2927 (Other locations in Hornos, Farallón, Vista Alegre, etc.) Daily 9a-9p

Soriana

Daily 9a-9p http://www1.soriana.com/ Formerly known as "Gigante," the chain of Soriana stores also can be found throughout Acapulco. There are two on the Costera: one just west of Parque Papagayo on the inland side, and one on the water side of the Costera in Costa Azul, across from the International Convention Center. (A third is on Av. Chuauhtémoc nor far from the Estrella Blanca terminal.) Here you can even buy souvenirs, as well as clothing and groceries for everyone in the family, fresh vegetables and meat, deli and bakery goods, liquors, beer, wine, toys and housewares. There is also a full-service pharmacy. Prices are usually quite competitive with those of the competition. Additionally, Soriana uses a system of loyalty "points," which returning patrons can accumulate for discounts or premiums on merchandise. Costera Alemán, 240 (Parque Papagayo) 39350 Acapulco, Gro., México 744 485 09 14 Costera Alemán 2803 (Costa Azul) 39850, Acapulco, Gro., México 744 481 3849 Cuahutémoc y J.R. Cabrillo (Hornos) 393900 Acapulco, Gro., México 744 486 02 51 Carretera México-Acapulco Km. 4.5 (Renacimiento) 39715 Acapulco, Gro., México 744 441 2232

Bodega Aurrerá

Bodega Aurrerá was a Mexican-owned chain of retail outlets acquired by Wal-Mart. Many of the same private labels sold in Wal-Mart are also available in bodegas Aurrerá. One is located almost next to Soriana on the Costera just west of Parque Papagayo, and another on Av. Universidad, near the new Cathedral under construction and not far from the "Mega Mex" above the Diana traffic circle. Like the local Wal-Marts, Bodega Aurrerá offers all the products of a department store, a pharmacy, a bakery, a liquor store and a super market. The prices on some products, particularly produce and deli items, are frequently lower than those in the competing stores. Av. Universidad, 1802 (Magallanes) 39670 Acapulco, Gro., México 744 488 2811 Costera Alemán, 1000 (Hornos Insurgentes) 39350 Acapulco, Gro., México 744 485 1075 (Rena) Blvd. José López Portillo, 214-216 (Libertadores); Acapulco, Gro., México 744 441 3041 Carretera Nacional Puerto Marques, Las Cruces Esq. Av. Picacho y Filo Mayor de Guerrero (Coloso Infonavit) 39810 Acapulco, Gro., México 744 468 5920

Sam's Club

As with Sam's Clubs everywhere, patrons must first "join the club" by paying a fee for three years' membership, entitling one to make purchases at the store. Staples are sold in bulk, potentially with great savings. It is the place to go to "stock up" on groceries, beer and wine, liquor, disposable products, frozen foods, and high-ticket items. Clothing, electronics, personal care items and all the other products one might expect at Wal-Mart will be on sale. Sam's Club makes the most sense for visitors or locals with an automobile, and who plan to be in Acapulco for more than just a week or a few days. Avenida Farallón, 516 (Farallón), 39690 Acapulco, Gro., México +52 744 469 0202

Costco

Costco is a buying club, which requires paying a membership fee to be able to make purchases. Products, other than big-ticket items, are sold in large or bulk quantities. Going to Costco only makes sense if you have a car and are going to buy a lot of something. For higher-priced items like wide-screen televisions or exercise equipment, Costco may also prove an economical solution, but transportation will still be necessary. Costco is on the road to the airport on the inland side, across from the Fairmont Pierre Marques golf course. Lote 34A Boulevard de las Naciones (Granjas del Marques), 39900 Acapulco, Gro., México +52 744 466 0517 Daily 9a-9p