In 2016, the supermarket chain announced its first internationalisation project in Portugal and created the Portuguese company Irmãdona Supermercados to develop its operations in this country.
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supermarket chain Mercadona has revealed its expansion plans for Portugal in 2025, which include the opening of 10 new stores and arriving in the capital for the first time, LisbonThis initiative is part of its growth strategy in the country, where it plans to reach a total of 70 establishments by the end of the year.
In Lisbon, Mercadona plans to open two strategically located supermarkets: one in the Alta area of Lisbon, where it will also establish new corporate offices, and another in Quinta do Lambert, in Lumiar.
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The new stores will be spread across several locations in the country, covering the municipalities of Loures (Santa Iria de Azóia and Frielas), Penafiel (Milhundos), Fafe, Leiria (Vale Sepal), Matosinhos (São Gens), Palmela and Porto (Amial).
The first of these openings is scheduled for March in Saint Iria of Azov, marking Mercadona's debut in the municipality of Loures.
Currently, Mercadona has 60 supermarkets in twelve districts of Portugal and two logistics blocks in Póvoa de Varzim and Almeirim, generating 7.000 jobs, of which 1.700 will be added in 2024.
For its expansion in 2025, the company has started a staff recruitment process, focusing on supermarket and warehouse operators, as well as maintenance assistants.
Mercadona recently announced an 8,5% salary increase for all its employees starting in January, raising the starting salary to 14.963,90 euros gross per year, with a progression that could reach 20.465,10 euros in a maximum of four years.
This entry-level salary is 23% higher than the national minimum wage in Portugal and represents a 68% increase for employees with more than four years' seniority.
Mercadona also reaffirmed its social commitment through food donations. In 2024, the company donated 1.300 tons of basic necessities, equivalent to 22.600 shopping carts, to more than 80 social entities in Portugal.
The supermarket chain started its project of internationalization in Portugal in 2016, establishing the Portuguese company Irmãdona Supermercados to manage its operations in the country.
Three years later, in 2019, it opened its first supermarket in Canidelo, Vila Nova de Gaia, and closed that year with 10 stores in the north of Portugal.
