Mercadona expands in Portugal amid labor disputes in Spain

Mercadona is significantly expanding its footprint in Portugal, where it now reaches 55.6% of households. The retailer has invested over 1.2 billion euros since entering the Portuguese market in 2019 and plans to invest an additional 150 million euros by 2026. The company currently operates 76 stores in Portugal and expects to reach 81 by the end of the year.

In conjunction with its growth, Mercadona president Juan Roig has called for Spanish businesses to treat Portugal as an equal economic partner rather than a secondary extension of the Spanish market.

However, the company faces labor challenges in Spain. The CIG-Servizos union is demanding explanations regarding the implementation of the new ‘Tienda 9’ model. The union alleges that this reorganization leads to job reductions, unjustified transfers, and worsened working conditions, claiming that proposed voluntary reductions in hours and shifts may actually be coerced.