Mercadona promotes the SDGs with constant product innovation

The close collaboration that Mercadona carries out with its suppliers has an important aspect in the field of innovation to improve the quality of products and their features. The purpose is none other than to solve the needs of the consumer and, therefore, the customers of the distribution chain, together with the company and the manufacturers, are the ones who determine which developments should be carried out to obtain new solutions.

This work, which Mercadona has intensified since 2011, promotes the fulfillment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to industry, innovation, and infrastructure (SDG 9) and those that foster partnerships to achieve the goals (SDG 17). This adds to the policy of promoting sustainability that, also in line with the 2030 Agenda, the company applies throughout the value chain.

To launch innovations, develop new products, or improve existing ones, Mercadona has 21 co-innovation centers, between Spain and Portugal, where it shares its consumption experiences with customers. The ultimate purpose: to innovate to improve the shopping experience.

These areas work, on the one hand, to develop new products and achieve a more effective assortment and, on the other hand, to improve manufacturing and distribution processes to reduce industrial costs and deepen the sustainability of manufacturers and the distribution chain itself.

The company allocates a part of its workers to act as prescribers for consumers, guiding them in their purchases, both in supermarkets and in co-innovation centers. This also results in an internal task of observation and customer service to understand their needs and be able to develop or improve products with the quality established by the Mercadona strategy.

To launch innovations, develop new products, or improve existing ones, Mercadona has 21 co-innovation centers, between Spain and Portugal

As a result of the exchange of interests between customers, the chain and its suppliers, last year 550 new products and 520 assortment improvements were introduced across all product categories. A significant increase compared to the previous year when 290 innovations were made.

Mercadona highlights that joint work also results in the growth of supplying companies, as it is an induced innovation and research that is also beneficial for the manufacturer, as it gains competitiveness and productivity thanks to the incorporation of new technologies, automation, and digitalization.

In this vein, and regarding suppliers located in Catalonia, the most recent advances correspond to manufacturers Rofersam, Casa Tarradellas, Conservas Dani, Tubtex, Pastry Factory, and Pastifred, among others.

In the case of the cosmetics company Rofersam, which works with the Deliplus brand, product improvements have focused on the incorporation of pump system dispensers and applicators for some creams and serums, which extends the product's duration by preventing its oxidation once opened; or the manufacturing of facial creams in refillable containers to facilitate the reuse of the glass jar, which lowers production costs and promotes subsequent recycling.

This company from Les Franqueses del Vallès is finalizing an expansion and improvement of its productive structures with an investment of six million; a clear example of how Mercadona's support contributes to the overall growth of its supplier companies.

For its part, Casa Tarradellas has closed an investment of 48 million euros to expand its pizza range and make environmental advancements at its production center in Gurb, creating 55 jobs.

Tubtex, from Hospitalet de L'Infant, has perfected the manufacturing of tubular fabrics for green fiber scourers, for which it has achieved greater effectiveness and durability. It has also reduced oxidation and improved the texture of the inox ball product; of the pad with a shorter thread strip to remove more dirt and prevent it from sticking to the utensils to be cleaned; of the soapy scourers, it has improved effectiveness and durability.

In the pastry and confectionery area, the companies Pastry Factory and Pastisfred have changed the elaboration of their products. Specifically, in 2020, the frozen cake supplier Pastisfred invested about 5 million euros and more than two years of work to adapt all its machinery, processes, and composition of the cakes.