Mercadona allocates 124 million to renovate 80% of its store network in Barcelona

Mercadona has reached the final phase of renovating its supermarket network in Barcelona. After a few years of strong growth, in this last five-year period, the leading company in the distribution sector has focused on updating its establishments in the city, where it now has a network of 43 stores, of which 36, that is, 83%, have already been transformed.

The latest Mercadona to debut the new efficient store model is the one located on Andrade street, in the Sant Martí district, where a comprehensive renovation has been carried out, involving an investment of 4 million euros and the creation of two additional jobs, bringing the total to 44 employees.

Between 2017 and this first half of 2023, Mercadona has allocated a total of 124 million to the improvement of these 36 Barcelona supermarkets. Specifically, 29 establishments have been renovated and 7 new ones have been opened, some of which are new implementations and others are relocations of stores that could not adopt the new model in their previous location.

The chain emphasizes the importance of this economic effort, as it translates into a reduction of up to 40% in energy consumption compared to a traditional store. In addition, the new establishment model "optimizes the customer's shopping experience," by offering new services such as a deli with sliced ham, specialized cosmetics, sushi specialties, a bakery with a bread slicing machine, refrigerated pastry, an orange juice machine, and improvements in the fish section. Another novelty of these establishments is the prepared food section, which offers 35 varieties of dishes to go.

Mercadona's new stores also incorporate a double-glazed entrance that prevents drafts, wider aisles, two lighter shopping cart models, better thermal and acoustic insulation, more efficient freezers, and an automated LED lighting system that adjusts according to the time of day. There are also novelties to make workers' lives easier, with measures to improve ergonomics and eliminate overexertion.

Across Catalonia, Mercadona now has a network of 250 supermarkets, of which 187 establishments, 75% of the total, have already been renovated. The group's workforce in the Catalan regions totaled 14,615 people at the end of 2022, of whom 2,690 work in the 43 supermarkets in Barcelona.