August 15 holiday: Supermarket and mall hours announced

Shopping centers and supermarkets across Paraguay will operate on regular schedules this weekend, accommodating the August 15th holiday, which marks the founding of Asunción, and the subsequent Children's Day.

Representatives from the Paraguayan Chamber of Supermarkets (Capasu) and the Chamber of Shopping Centers of Paraguay (CCCPy) confirmed that stores will remain open. The Association of Importers and Merchants of Paraguay (Asimcopar) also anticipates increased activity. Retailers expect a sales boost from food and beverage purchases for Sunday celebrations and gifts for children.

Gustavo Lezcano, president of Capasu, stated that most supermarkets will be open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Convenience stores will continue their 24-hour operations. Jorge Mendelzon, vice president of CCCPy, added that shopping malls and their stores nationwide will follow normal hours. Food court operations in malls will run from 11 a.m. to midnight, while commercial stores will be open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Eugenio Caje, spokesperson for Asimcopar, noted that the August 15th holiday itself typically has a modest impact on sales. The sector's expectations are more closely tied to Children's Day, celebrated on August 16th. Lezcano also observed that consumer behavior is influenced by the cold weather, with reduced beer consumption but increased demand for wine and spirits. He added that sales of barbecue meats might be affected by rain, leading consumers to choose different meals.