Spanish retailer Mercadona has introduced a free service to its Ready-to-Eat section after a four-month testing period in select outlets.
The new sales model will be gradually implemented in the more than 800 stores that have a Ready-to-Eat section, with the aim of making it available across all stores by the end of the year.
Ready To Eat Service
The Ready-to-Eat service at Mercadona gives customers the option of choosing from more than 35 dishes offered in this section, without any waiting and the same quality that is offered with personalised attention.
All these food items are served in containers made from natural materials, such as sugar cane (compostable material), cardboard, or paper.
This new sales model will aim to improve the experience of the customer by reducing their waiting time and optimising the company's processes, the retailer noted.
Mercadona 2021 Financial Results
The chain, which operates outlets in Portugal and Spain, recently released its financial results for 2021.
It recorded a 3.3% year-on-year increase in like-for-like sales, to €27.8 billion, during the financial year.
Of this total, €27.4 billion was generated in Spain, and the remaining €415 million Portugal, where the banner acquired a 3% market share after two years.
Mercadona opened 79 new supermarkets last year (nine in Portugal) and closed 58 that did not fit its more efficient and sustainable store model, ending 2021 with 1,662 stores (1,633 in Spain and 29 in Portugal).
The retailer renovated 84 stores, closing the year with 1,200 supermarkets adapted to the Efficient Store Model (Store 8) concept.
© 2022 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Conor Farrelly. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: European Supermarket Magazine.
