Mercado is reinforcing its presence in both Spain and Portugal, betting heavily on the growth of its chain of stores. The main focus of the investment lies on the Portuguese market, where the Spanish chain sees great expansion potential.
Investment exceeds 200 million euros
According to the accounts presented by Alameda Inmo, holding company that owns most of the market, firm compromises for land and real estate acquisition of 203 million euros until the end of 2024. This figure represents a growth of 33% compared to the previous year.
Plans for the next six years are already traced
According to, this amount is intended for purchases that will be executed over the next six years. By 2024, the company channeled 33 million for this purpose, which translates a 50% increase compared to 2023. For 2025, it is expected to achieve acquisitions of 20 million euros.
Remodeling is out of this purchasing package
These values say only respect for the acquisition of new locations. Remodeling and works associated with opening stores are not included in these amounts. There is also an additional 24.3 million euros commitment that will be executed this year.
Portugal remains a priority in brand growth
The growth strategy in Portugal has been consistent since 2019, the year the company opened its first supermarket in the country. Since then, the opening rhythm surrounds a dozen stores a year.
More than 400 million invested in 2024 alone
At the end of 2024, Mercado had 1,674 stores in operation, 60 in Portuguese territory. To support this network, 419 million euros were invested during the year, of which 281 million were intended for new openings.
Requalification and improvement of stores also highlighted
In addition, 104 million have been applied to existing stores and 34 million in sales model improvements. Compared to the previous year, there was a reduction in total investment, which in 2023 had reached 650 million.
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Five billion invested since the beginning of the expansion plan
In accumulating in recent years, Mercado has invested nearly 5 billion euros in its retail network. This value is similar to the net profit recorded by the company in the same period, which totaled 5.141 billion euros.
Expansion in Spain Sprinkle
In Spain, growth reached a saturation point, leading to jail to close more stores than the ones that opened last year. The balance was negative: 42 opened and 49 ended, totaling 1,614 stores at the end of 2024.
Lisbon receives first stores in jail
In Portugal, the scenario is quite different. 11 new stores were opened, and the expectation is to maintain this pace by 2025, with ten more inaugurations planned. Among them, stand out the first two locations in the city of Lisbon.
Revenue and profits rise at a good pace in the national market
In the neighboring country, the accumulated investment already exceeds 1.093 billion euros. In 2024, revenues reached 1,778 billion euros, which represents a 27%growth, and net income reached 30 million euros.
Objective: Duplicate profits in 2025
At the last press conference in March, Juan Roig expressed ambition: “The goal for 2025 is to double this profit.” The priority is now consolidating the presence in the south of the country, an area where the market is not yet present.
New Infrastructure in Almeirim supports the expansion
For this purpose, a new logistics block was recently inaugurated in Almeirim, Santarém district, less than 100 kilometers from the capital. The investment in this infrastructure was 287 million euros.
To grow, it is necessary to be “more Portuguese”
“We have a lot of work to do in Spain and Portugal,” said Juan Roig, discarding, for now, the entrance in other markets. Among the challenges pointed out is that it is “more Portuguese”, which implies reinforcing collaboration with local suppliers.
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