The experience of shopping at Mercadona is about to undergo a significant transformation. The Valencian brand is preparing to implement a structural change, aiming to solve one of the most common problems in large supermarkets. This change, known as the T9 model, promises to put an end to waiting lines once and for all, but implies the end of a traditional service that many consumers are accustomed to.
The strategy involves removing the assisted service counters in the butchery, fish and delicatessen sections. Instead of removing the password and waiting for their turn to be served by an employee, consumers will now find these foods already prepared and packaged on the shelves, ready to take.
According to AS, a Spanish daily newspaper, this new format is now ready to land in the brand’s centers and had its debut in the Xirivella store, in Valencia. The bet aims to optimize logistical processes and free up space in the store, changing the usual interaction dynamics between those who buy and those who sell the fresh produce.
The end of personalization for now
With the entry into force of this system, the preparation service is no longer available in these establishments. Customers will not be able to request specific cuts of meat or personalized cleaning of the fish on the spot, having to opt for the free service solutions provided by the brand.
The same source indicates that this measure allows for greater team productivity and considerably speeds up the flow of customers in the store. The elimination of waiting areas is the great attraction of this model, allowing purchases to be made immediately and without mandatory stops in the perishables sections.
Wider corridors and new organization
The removal of large windows and service counters results in freeing up useful space within the commercial establishment. The new layout favors wider aisles that facilitate the movement of shopping carts and avoid congestion during busy times.
The aforementioned source explains that stock replenishment will now be carried out with greater weight directly on pallets. This logistical and visual reorganization aims to make the operation more efficient, ensuring that the product is always accessible to the customer without the need for intermediaries.
Another relevant change concerns the drastic reduction in visual communication inside the store. The new format aims to eliminate the informative posters that usually mark the sections, creating a cleaner and quieter environment visually.
Industry experts note that the absence of navigation signs is a bold measure that forces more intuitive guidance. The focus is on the consumer’s familiarity with the space and the logical arrangement of product categories, dispensing with excessive warnings.
Focus on quick convenience
The T9 model organizes categories based on specific shopping missions, grouping ready-to-consume solutions on a single shelf. This logic reinforces convenience for those who have little time and are looking for meals or ingredients without complexity.
It also explains that this evolution represents the company’s commitment to modernization, even if this means breaking with old habits. We just have to wait and see how customers will accept a supermarket without the traditional conversation at the counter.
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