Pandemic-driven growth in e-commerce has accelerated the demand for 'dark stores' in Portugal as more companies seek locations in which to stock their products for online sales.
A report in the Portuguese daily Jornal de Negocios describes the concept, which ranges from retail to restaurants, as another 'imported phenomenon.'
Dark stores transform supermarkets or grocery shops into large warehouses, where orders are processed and customers cannot enter.
Unlike traditional warehouses, these shops are more discreet and located in large urban centres, closer to end consumers.
In Portugal, Sonae MC's Continente was the first to adopt the concept and opened a 'dark store' in Telheiras, Lisbon, in 2015.
'Dark Kitchens'
Portugal has also seen growth in 'dark kitchens', a concept that evolved after several restaurants realised it was impossible to respond to all physical and online requests.
'Dark kitchens' cater exclusively for deliveries, taking pressure off restaurants.
At the end of January, Glovo partnered with Swiss real estate fund Stoneweg, which will invest €100 million in the purchase and refurbishment of storage spaces that will be rented to the home delivery platform in several European countries, including Portugal, according to another report in the Jornal de Negocios.
© 2021 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Branislav Pekic. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine
