List Of Supermarkets And Shopping Malls In Calabar, Cross River State

Calabar, the capital of Cross River State, is widely celebrated for its culture, history, and tourism appeal. Often dubbed Nigeria’s cleanest city, it hosts the annual Calabar Carnival, attracts local and international tourists, and serves as a regional commercial hub. In recent years, Calabar has seen significant growth in its retail sector, with supermarkets and shopping malls springing up to meet the demands of its vibrant population.

Whether you're a resident in search of daily essentials or a visitor exploring retail options, Calabar offers a diverse mix of modern shopping malls and community-oriented supermarkets. This detailed blog post highlights the most popular places to shop in Calabar and offers useful insights into what each location provides.

Why Shopping in Calabar Is Unique

Shopping in Calabar blends the traditional and modern. On one side, open-air markets like Watt Market cater to bulk buyers and bargain hunters. On the other, supermarkets and malls bring in structure, variety, and convenience. The city’s retail scene is a reflection of its people—colorful, welcoming, and efficient.

What sets Calabar apart is the integration of lifestyle elements into shopping. Many malls and supermarkets also offer cafés, salons, entertainment spots, and service centers. Whether you're shopping for fashion, foodstuff, electronics, or imported goods, Calabar has something for you.

🛒 Top Supermarkets in Calabar

1. SPAR Calabar (Inside Calabar Mall)

• Location: Mary Slessor Avenue, Cultural Centre Road

• Category: Hypermarket

• What to Expect: SPAR offers everything from groceries and electronics to fresh produce, wines, and household items. This is arguably Calabar’s most comprehensive supermarket and is part of a global retail chain. It’s perfect for those seeking a modern shopping experience with quality customer service and good parking space.

2. B-System Supermarket

• Location: 14/16 Diamond Hill

• Category: Mid-sized Supermarket

• What to Expect: B-System is known for its neatly arranged aisles and broad product selection, including foodstuffs, toiletries, beverages, and baby items. It’s an ideal choice for families and bulk shoppers looking for fair prices and availability of foreign brands.

3. CannonBall Supermarket

• Location: Murtala Mohammed Highway, Old Town

• Category: Neighborhood Supermarket

• What to Expect: CannonBall is especially popular among locals for quick grocery runs. Despite its modest size, it carries essentials like packaged food, toiletries, cleaning products, and beverages.

4. Divine Favour Supermarket (formerly Daily Supermarket)

• Location: Opposite Essien Town Junction, New Obutong

• Category: Full-service Supermarket

• What to Expect: This store underwent a rebranding and relocation, now offering a better shopping layout and improved product range including groceries, kitchen utensils, wines, snacks, and more. Its central location makes it a go-to spot for those around Essien Town and Old Town.

5. Divine Love Daily Needs Store

• Location: Ikot Ekan Edem Road

• Category: Convenience Store

• What to Expect: Focused on meeting daily household needs, this shop supplies everything from provisions and cosmetics to personal care items. It’s particularly useful for residents in surrounding communities looking for a quick and reliable supply source.

6. Foodstuff Plus

• Location: No. 7 Ikot Eyo

• Category: Grocery Store

• What to Expect: True to its name, Foodstuff Plus specializes in raw food items, grains, oils, condiments, and other essentials. If you're planning home-cooked meals or restocking your pantry, this is a practical option.

7. Samfloxy Supermarket

• Location: 28 Ekorinim Road, Ekot Inin

• Category: Mini Mart

• What to Expect: Known for being one of the top mini-supermarkets in its locality, Samfloxy caters to the neighborhood with groceries, confectionery, body care items, and drinks. While small in size, it competes well in service and variety.

8. Spark Shopz

• Location: 41 Mbukpa Street

• Category: Local Supermarket

• What to Expect: This store has grown into a trusted name in the Mbukpa area. It carries both local and imported products including food, snacks, drinks, and personal care goods. Great for everyday shopping in a friendly setting.

🏬 Prominent Shopping Malls in Calabar

1. Calabar Mall

• Location: Mary Slessor Avenue

• Overview: Calabar Mall is the largest shopping center in the city and serves as a landmark destination for both residents and tourists. It houses SPAR hypermarket, boutiques, restaurants, electronics shops, a cinema, mobile stores, and salons. With modern architecture and ample parking, the mall offers a full-day shopping and leisure experience.

2. Audacious Calabar Mall

• Location: Along MCC Road

• Overview: Unlike traditional malls, Audacious focuses more on fashion and lifestyle. It features local designers, textile shops, and beauty outlets. The mall is also a cultural space where art, fashion, and commerce intersect, offering something unique to Calabar’s creative scene.

📊 Summary Table: Top Supermarkets and Shopping Malls in Calabar

🧾 Tips for Shoppers in Calabar

• Go Early: If you're visiting SPAR or Calabar Mall, early mornings or weekdays are ideal to avoid crowding.

• Compare Prices: Local supermarkets like Divine Favour and CannonBall often offer better deals on everyday essentials.

• Cash and POS: While most stores accept POS payments, carrying some cash for smaller supermarkets is advisable.

• Try Local Brands: Calabar retailers stock a mix of local and imported items. Explore local products for affordability and quality.

• Check Holiday Hours: During the Calabar Carnival and festive seasons, opening hours may differ. Always check in advance.

💼 The Economic Impact of Supermarkets and Malls in Calabar

Retail development has contributed significantly to job creation and economic activity in Calabar. Modern supermarkets employ hundreds of staff across logistics, inventory, sales, and customer service. Malls attract foot traffic that benefits nearby businesses, transportation operators, and service providers.

These developments also bring improved consumer choices, introduce global retail standards, and support Cross River State’s goal of positioning Calabar as a model smart city in Nigeria.

✨ Final Thoughts

Calabar may be known for its cultural riches and natural beauty, but it’s also growing into a thriving commercial destination. Its supermarkets and malls serve as vital links between lifestyle, comfort, and modern convenience. From the expansive SPAR inside Calabar Mall to the neighborhood charm of Spark Shopz and Samfloxy, the retail scene is a blend of big and small, global and local.

Whether you’re relocating, vacationing, or simply exploring Calabar, this list offers the ultimate roadmap to where you can shop, relax, and enjoy the city’s modern heartbeat.