Mercado prepares to mark an important milestone on its journey in Portugal, announcing the arrival at the Algarve in the last quarter of 2026, with the opening of two new supermarkets in Portimão (Nova Vila Retail Park) and Faro (Vale da Amoreira). Job vacancies for these stores are now open.
According to Inês Santos, director of Mercado Institutional Relations in Portugal, “the arrival of the Algarve region has been very requested for several years and represents an important milestone in our path of internationalization. It will bring the natural challenges of a zone that combines seasonality and life throughout the year, which our teams were eager to grab”. The official added that “more than the opening of two new supermarkets, it will be the evolution of a relationship of trust with decades of existence, which will now also be reflected in the creation of local and national wealth, starting with the hiring of 200 people in the coming weeks.”
Entry in the south of the country reinforces the long -term bet of the market in Portugal, which has invested more than 1.100 million euros over the past six years, supported by a Portuguese team of more than 7,000 people on effective. Almeirim’s new logistics block, recently inaugurated with an investment of 290 million euros, will be essential to make the chain operation more efficient in the Algarve and throughout the national territory.
Mercado has also been strengthening relations with national suppliers, which bought 4,500 million euros between 2019 and 2024. “This value, which will continue to grow with the opening of new stores, is reflected in the creation of wealth in the country and generating value for the entire agri-food chain,” said the company.
Currently present in 12 of the 18 districts of Portugal, Mercado also advances with new openings in the North and the Lisbon Metropolitan Area. Also in October will be inaugurated the third store in Matosinhos, followed by Loures, which will have a second unit in Frielas. By the end of the year, the brand will arrive for the first time to the city of Lisbon.
Between 2019 and 2024, Mercado reached a sales volume of 4,550 million euros. In the last year it alone earned 27% more than in the same period and contributed 237 million euros in taxes through the Sister Supermarkets, based in Vila Nova de Gaia, a company that registered a positive net result of 7 million euros in 2024.
For the two new Algarve stores, Mercado will open 200 job openings as a supermarket operator and maintenance assistant.
All new workers will go through a period of training in stores already open, with effective contract and compensation from the first day. During this period, the company ensures food, transportation, stay and travel home every 15 days for all employees.
Applications can be made online in Faro: and Portimão :.
Also read:
