Mercadona Continues Portuguese Expansion with New Store Openings and Significant Investment
The Spanish supermarket chain Mercadona is solidifying its presence in Portugal with an ambitious expansion plan, aiming to reach 81 stores across the country by the conclude of 2026. This growth is backed by a substantial investment of €150 million in 2026 alone, building on the €140 million invested in 2025. The company’s commitment to the Portuguese market is evident not only in its physical expansion but also in its increasing profitability and contribution to the Portuguese economy. Mercadona first entered the Portuguese market in 2019, opening its first store in Vila Nova de Gaia, Porto, and has since grow a significant player in the nation’s retail landscape.
The latest addition to Mercadona’s Portuguese network is a new supermarket in Lisbon’s Quinta do Lambert, Lumiar, which opened on February 24, 2026. This brings the total number of Mercadona stores in Portugal to 70. The new Lisbon store is expected to create 90 new jobs, adding to the company’s existing workforce of over 7,500 employees in Portugal. The expansion signifies a strategic move to broaden its reach across the country, aiming to serve a wider customer base and strengthen its market position.
Expanding Geographic Reach Across Portugal
Mercadona’s expansion isn’t limited to the Lisbon area. The company plans to open 12 new stores throughout the year, extending its footprint to 16 of Portugal’s 18 districts. Specifically, new stores are planned for Covilhã, Vila Real, Beja, Viseu, Moita, Sintra, Amarante, Maia, and Esposende, in addition to the already opened store in Lumiar, Lisbon. The company is also targeting the Algarve region, with planned openings in Portimão and Faro. This widespread expansion demonstrates Mercadona’s commitment to becoming a nationally recognized and accessible retailer throughout Portugal.
The investment in these new locations isn’t solely focused on the stores themselves. The company invested over €9 million in the Lisbon store, with €1.2 million specifically allocated to improvements in the surrounding public areas, covering a total intervention area of 4,300 m2. This demonstrates a commitment to not just business growth, but also to community development and infrastructure enhancement.
Strong Financial Performance and Economic Contribution
Mercadona’s performance in Portugal has been consistently strong. After seven years of operation, the company reported its second year of profits in 2025, reaching €26 million – a 271.43% increase compared to the previous year. This growth is coupled with an 18% increase in sales volume, reaching €2.092 billion in 2025. These figures highlight the increasing popularity of the Mercadona brand among Portuguese consumers and the effectiveness of its business model in the Portuguese market.
Beyond profits, Mercadona is making a significant contribution to the Portuguese economy. Through its Portuguese subsidiary, Irmãdona Supermercados, based in Vila Nova de Gaia, the company contributed €273 million in taxes in 2025, bringing the total tax contribution since its entry into the Portuguese market to €879 million. Mercadona’s commitment to local sourcing is substantial, having purchased €1.5 billion worth of goods from over 1,000 Portuguese suppliers in 2025, representing a 7% increase year-over-year. Juan Roig, President of Mercadona, expressed satisfaction with these results, stating the company is pleased with sales performance in Portugal, but emphasized the need for continued profit improvement.
Investment in Innovation and Employee Welfare
Mercadona’s strategy extends beyond simply opening new stores and increasing sales. The company is also investing heavily in innovation and employee welfare. Globally, Mercadona reported a total turnover of €41.858 billion and a profit of €1.729 billion in 2025, with its market share in Portugal growing by 0.8 percentage points to 8.8%. Approximately 80% of the total profit (€1.383 million) was reinvested back into the company, while €346 million was distributed to shareholders.
Looking ahead, Mercadona anticipates a 3.5% increase in sales, reaching €43.2 billion, with investments totaling €1 billion in the current year. A significant portion of this investment, amounting to €3.7 billion over the coming years, will be dedicated to transforming existing supermarkets into the “Loja 9” model. This new store format prioritizes fresh produce, streamlines the shopping experience, enhances productivity, and improves efficiency. The “Loja 9” model also incorporates a centralized kitchen area to optimize food preparation, resulting in a projected 10% energy savings and a 40% reduction in water consumption. While the rollout of “Loja 9” is progressing rapidly across Spain, no stores in Portugal have yet been converted to this new format.
Mercadona has demonstrated a commitment to its workforce by increasing vacation days for employees in both Portugal and Spain to 29 working days per year, up from 24. The company is also distributing a bonus to its employees, recognizing their contribution to the company’s success. These initiatives underscore Mercadona’s focus on creating a positive and rewarding work environment.
The expansion of Mercadona in Portugal is a clear indication of the company’s confidence in the Portuguese market and its long-term commitment to the country. With continued investment in both infrastructure and employee welfare, Mercadona is poised to further strengthen its position as a leading supermarket chain in Portugal.
The company’s next major milestone will be the continued rollout of the “Loja 9” format, with plans to implement it in 59 stores across Spain this year. Consumers in Portugal can expect to see further expansion and innovation from Mercadona in the coming months and years.
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