The retail chain Mercadona announced the opening of one of its largest stores in Cabo of Palos, Cartagena, on June 1st. The new supermarket represents an investment of more than five million euros and will function as a strategic commercial hub in the coastal region.
The property occupies a plot of 13,277 square meters, with a structure on two main levels in addition to a parking area. The infrastructure was planned to meet intensified tourist demand in the summer months, maintaining stable operations throughout the year.
Dimensões and infrastructure of the new venture
The supermarket has a floor plan measuring 4,168 square meters for the shopping arcade, warehouse and loading areas. On the Neste level there are refrigerated chambers and a product unloading area.
The structure also includes:
- Primeiro floor with 337 square meters
- Subsolo with 8,700 square meters for covered parking with 235 spaces, 8 of which are accessible
- Estacionamento external of 3,660 square meters with 90 additional spaces, of which 3 for reduced mobility
- Total of 325 parking spaces on the property
The location close to the region’s former Mercadona unit allows for an easy operational transition. The company chaired by Juan Roig focused efforts on creating modern commercial space that replaces the previous store with updated standards.
Impacto economic and job creation
The mayor of Cartagena, Noelia Arroyo, highlighted during a meeting with the company that the new unit not only reinforces the local commercial offer but also guarantees the maintenance of employment. The municipality’s first official emphasized that the infrastructure will function as a permanent commercial attraction hub.
Segundo Arroyo, the energizing impact extends beyond the summer season. The supermarket will contribute to continued economic activity throughout the months, creating stable job opportunities in the region. The statement reflected the city hall’s official position regarding the relevance of the project for municipal commercial development.
The permanent workforce from the previous supermarket, made up of approximately 50 workers, will be transferred entirely to the new facilities. Ana Belén Martínez, director of Relações Externas of Mercadona at Região of Murcia, confirmed the continuity of employment relationships during the project presentation. Maintaining the team guarantees consolidated operational expertise in the original unit.
Iniciativa Tienda 9 advances on Catalunha
Paralelamente to the opening in Cabo of Palos, Mercadona opened its second “Tienda 9” in Catalan territory. The new establishment is located in Mercat Municipal of Sitges, Barcelona, representing progress in the commercial space optimization model developed by the network.
The renovation of the site at Sitges cost 3.2 million euros and involved 60 different suppliers. The comprehensive reorganization sought to improve customers’ shopping experience through intuitive distribution of the assortment. The company highlights the reduction of internal travel to replenish shelves, improving the team’s operational coordination.
Inovações operational and resource efficiency
The new store model introduces the “Obrador Central”, a centralized area where all areas for preparing fresh products converge. Este space integrates cutting, cooking and packaging operations, reinforcing commitment to maximum quality and freshness of the items sold.
The centralization of fresh produce processes expands available space in self-service sales. The strategy allows for better visual presentation of vegetables, meats and cold line products. The system offers significant operational benefits.
The technological innovation of the facilities generates a positive environmental impact. The reformulation of processes produces savings of up to ten percent in energy consumption. Water consumption decreases by up to forty percent compared to the previous model. The complete technical update of the facilities incorporates sustainable solutions aligned with corporate environmental responsibility policies.
The project included a rest area dedicated to customers. The space recognizes the contemporary needs of buyers, offering comfort during a visit to the establishment. The trend reflects Mercadona’s adaptation to changes in consumption habits.
Expansão of Tiendas 9 in national territory
Mercadona expects to close the year 2026 with approximately 60 “Tiendas 9” distributed by Espanha. The model represents strategic evolution in retail operations, combining spatial modernization with operational improvements. The company intensifies the implementation of this variant in different regions.
The inauguration in Sitges represents consolidation of the proposal in an area with high population density. Catalunha contains a significant number of these reformulated units. Regional expansion demonstrates marketing validation of the concept among the public.
The set of Mercadona initiatives in the first half of 2026 highlights continued investment in network modernization. The company combines the opening of strategic megastores with the reformulation of existing units. The duality of approach allows the capture of different customer segments and varied geographic regions.