Mercadona, a leading supermarket chain in Spain, has announced a significant transformation of its store layout through an investment of €3.7 billion over the next seven years. This remodel will affect approximately 1,600 stores in Spain and Portugal as the company prepares to introduce a new concept called 'Tienda 9'. The shifts will include a greater emphasis on fresh products, the elimination of attended counters, and an expanded range of prepared foods, which aims to enhance customer convenience and operational efficiency.

The updates to the store design are a response to the successful implementation of the previous 'Tienda 8' model, which was rolled out in 2016 and is currently operational in 89% of Mercadona's stores. The president of Mercadona, Juan Roig, acknowledged the company's lack of originality in naming the new concept, but emphasized that the main goal is to improve the organization within the stores. The restructuring will focus on consolidating refrigerated items in one area and expanding the produce section, in an effort to make the shopping experience more streamlined for customers.

This ambitious remodeling is not just a design overhaul but also reflects Mercadona's strategy to maintain its competitive edge in the retail grocery market. By prioritizing fresh food offerings and modernizing the in-store experience, Mercadona aims to adapt to changing consumer preferences and harness growth opportunities in both domestic and Portuguese markets. As supermarkets overall continue to compete intensely, these changes could serve as a benchmark for innovation within the grocery industry in Southern Europe.