Lorraine Williamson
Mercadona was founded in 1977 in Valencia as a small butcher shop chain before expanding into a full-scale supermarket business. Under the leadership of Juan Roig, who took over in the 1980s, the company transformed into Spain’s leading grocery retailer.
Today, Mercadona operates more than 1,600 stores across Spain and Portugal and is known for its focus on customer satisfaction, private-label products, and innovative business strategies.
Strong financial performance
Spanish supermarket chain Mercadona, led by billionaire businessman Juan Roig, closed 2024 with a net profit of €1.38 billion, marking a 37% increase from 2023. Consolidated sales rose by 9% to €38.8 billion, setting a new record for the Valencian company.
Presenting the financial results, Roig acknowledged the impact of the DANA storm that struck Valencia in late October. The disaster resulted in 224 victims and three missing persons. Despite the tragedy, Mercadona continued to grow and played a key role in relief efforts, donating food and essential goods.
Expansion in Portugal
Mercadona’s strategy focuses on continuous growth, including bold and sometimes unpopular decisions. In 2024, the company opened 11 new stores in Portugal, increasing its total to 60. Revenue in Portugal surged by 28% to €1.8 billion, while online sales reached €840 million, contributing 2% of total turnover.
The company aims to double profits in Portugal by 2025. Expansion will concentrate on the Lisbon district, with a €200 million investment in land acquisition and new store openings.
Future outlook
For 2025, Mercadona projects gross sales of €40.1 billion, a 3.3% increase over 2024. Despite changes in the management team, Roig remains committed to leading the company as long as his health permits. Mercadona continues to prioritise growth and innovation to maintain its market leadership in Spain and Portugal. Roig also hinted at future expansion into another country to strengthen the company’s market presence.
Employment and workforce
In 2024, Mercadona created over 6,000 new jobs—4,300 in Spain and 1,700 in Portugal—bringing its total workforce to 103,000 employees in Spain and 7,000 in Portugal.
Recognising employees’ contributions, Mercadona raised salaries by 8.5%, exceeding the Consumer Price Index in both Spain and Portugal by more than 5%. The company also distributed €700 million in performance-linked bonuses.