Mercadona Opens New Supermarket Model in Two Major Spanish Cities
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Mercadona, one of Spain's largest supermarket chains, has launched a new store model called 'Tienda 9' in two major Spanish cities, Bilbao and Madrid.
The company has invested a total of 11 million euros in this new project. This shows Mercadona's continued focus on improving its stores across the country.
In Bilbao, the new store is located in the Miribilla area. This single store required an investment of 1.9 million euros. The store has been described as a change in how Mercadona designs its supermarkets.
A similar store has also opened in Madrid, following the same 'Tienda 9' concept. This model is part of Mercadona's wider strategy to modernise its shops.
The new stores include more advanced technology than older Mercadona locations. This is closely linked to the vision of Juan Roig, the company's founder and owner, who has long pushed for greater use of technology in retail.
According to reports, Roig's push for technology in Mercadona stores is not slowing down. The company appears determined to keep innovating its store formats.
Mercadona is well known in Spain for its large network of supermarkets. The opening of these two new 'Tienda 9' locations suggests the company may continue expanding this model to other cities in the future.
Customers in both Bilbao and Madrid can now visit these newly renovated stores and experience the updated shopping concept for themselves.
Vocabulary10 words
- supermarket chains
- groups of shops owned by one company
- invested
- spent money to improve or grow something
- concept
- a new idea or way of doing something
- founder
- the person who started a company
- innovating
- creating new ideas or ways of doing things
- technology
- modern machines, tools, and computer systems
- strategy
- a careful plan to reach a goal
- modernise
- to make something more up to date
- retail
- the business of selling goods to customers
- network
- a large group of connected places or things
Quiz
Answer key
1. Bilbao and Madrid 2. 1.9 million euros 3. He continues to push for more technology in stores.
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Mercadona, one of Spain's largest supermarket _____, has launched a new store model called 'Tienda 9' in two major Spanish _____.
The company has invested a total of _____ million euros in this new project.
In Bilbao, the new store is located in the _____ area. This single store required an investment of _____ million euros.
A similar store has also opened in _____, following the same 'Tienda 9' _____.
The new stores include more advanced _____ than older Mercadona locations, linked to the vision of Juan _____, the company's founder.
According to reports, Roig's push for technology in Mercadona stores is not slowing _____.
Discussion questions
- Why do you think Mercadona is investing in new technology for its stores?
- Have you ever noticed technology changes in supermarkets you visit? What kind?
- Why might a company choose to open new store models in big cities first?
- Do you think investing millions in new store designs is a good business decision? Why or why not?