On November 12th, Mercadona opened its first supermarket in Faro, bringing the number of the chain's stores in Portugal to 80.

The opening, the brand's second in the Algarve, represents an investment of over 15 million euros and has created 100 jobs, all with permanent contracts from day one.

Located on Rua Tito Olívio, the new unit marks another step in the retailer's territorial expansion, but it stands out above all for the implementation of the Loja 9 model, a new operational organization that aims to increase the efficiency of supermarkets and simplify the shopping experience.

Store 9 reorganizes operations by process.

The new model represents a change from the traditional organization of Mercadona supermarkets. Instead of structuring all operations exclusively by business areas, Store 9 introduces a process-based organization, seeking to improve the coordination between product preparation, restocking, and team work.

One of the main changes involves the creation of a central kitchen, which brings together preparation operations previously distributed across different areas of the store. This centralization aims to facilitate coordination between employees, reduce internal movement, and improve task efficiency.

According to the company, the model also allows for a more intuitive organization of the product assortment, aiming to make the shopping experience simpler and faster for customers.

Sofia Fonseca, Director of External Relations for Central and Southern Portugal at Mercadona, believes that the opening represents a new milestone in the company's development in the country and strengthens its connection to the Algarve. She also highlights the investment's contribution to the local economy and job creation.

The inauguration included an institutional visit from the Mayor of Faro, António Miguel Pina, the Deputy Mayor, Valentina Calixto, and the President of the Union of Parishes of Faro, Paula Matias.

Energy Efficiency

The new supermarket offers 180 parking spaces, two of which are designated for charging electric vehicles, as well as a specific area for bicycles and scooters.

The unit also has 420 solar panels installed on the roof, intended for the production of energy for self-consumption. According to Mercadona, this solution allows for annual savings of around 20% in electricity consumption, reinforcing the energy efficiency strategy applied to the supermarket chain.

The company has also established a collaboration protocol with the Faro Food Bank Against Hunger, to which products that are no longer suitable for sale but remain fit for consumption will be donated daily.