Mercadona brings its ‘Store 9’ to Madrid: closures for works and supermarkets designed for faster shopping

The new format is based on a central production area within each store, where cutting, cooking and packaging tasks are concentrated. With this system, the company aims to improve efficiency, reduce costs and optimise resource consumption. For customers, the experience will be quicker: more direct routes, reorganised aisles and a wider range of ready-to-eat dishes. Even so, going through a traditional checkout will remain the main payment option.

The transformation will involve temporary closures of between two weeks and one month at many Mercadona supermarkets while the works are carried out. Madrid will be one of the main focuses of this rollout, as part of an investment plan that will extend over the coming years.

This change directly affects the everyday lives of thousands of people. It simplifies daily shopping, reduces time spent in store and responds to growing demand for quick meal solutions. It also redefines the supermarket model, with less personalised service and more automated processes. As the refurbishment progresses, customers will have to adapt to new ways of shopping and possible occasional closures. The result will be a more uniform store network geared towards speed, in line with the pace of the city.

Mercadona launches “Store 9” in Madrid and other cities: a central production area concentrates cutting/cooking/packaging (10% energy savings, 40% water savings), teams reorganised by processes, energy efficiency in refrigeration, total self-service for fresh products, optimised aisles, more ready-to-eat prepared dishes. Closures of 2–4 weeks for works. €3.7bn investment in continuous improvement for customers/workers/suppliers/society.

Specific benefits:

Optimised internal flows, fewer movements

Strengthened quality control in the central production area

Collaborative technology for store self-management

Redefined fresh-food space, quicker shopping