Mercadona will launch this Thursday in the Bilbao neighborhood of Miribilla its first 'Store 9' in Biscay, after a renovation valued at 1.9 million euros in which 39 construction suppliers and a total of 150 workers have participated.
The supermarket chain has detailed that the establishment, located at number 2 Doctor Espinosa Orive street and staffed by a team of 54 people, will have more space dedicated to fresh products and will incorporate improvements in "the shopping experience" of customers.
The new model has meant a complete reorganization of the premises, leaving behind the traditional structure by businesses to move to a process-based organization.
According to the distribution company, this redesign represents "one more step in optimizing the act of purchase, making it more agile and simple, thanks to a more intuitive organization of the assortment" and, at the same time, "favors the activity of its staff," by reducing movements to restock and facilitating better internal coordination. The supermarket also incorporates a rest area for customers.
The commercial hours will be from Monday to Saturday, from 9:00 to 21:00 hours. The center has a parking lot with 67 spaces, two of which are reserved for electric vehicles.
Central workshop and efficiency improvements
In this store format, the central workshop integrates all areas of preparation of fresh products that are made in the establishment itself. The concentration of cutting, cooking, and packaging tasks in a single point "allows reinforcing the commitment that the company maintains for maximum quality and freshness, giving more space for these products in self-service."
This system also favors "a more efficient management of resources" and entails energy savings of up to 10% and a reduction of up to 40% in water consumption.
In the field of innovation, the store incorporates various electronic devices and collaborative tools "that facilitate the self-management of the supermarket, optimize decision-making, and streamline processes throughout the chain."
In the cold zone, the refrigerator murals integrate Aerofoil technology to limit the escape of cold air to the aisles, "thus improving the energy efficiency of the refrigerator and the thermal comfort in the store." Likewise, the company uses CO2 as a refrigerant gas, "which reduces the environmental impact and allows for generating cold in a more efficient and sustainable way."
These actions are complemented by the technical update of the machine rooms and the replacement of equipment, "ensuring better maintenance and greater operational efficiency in the long term."
Set of changes that, according to Mercadona, make 'Store 9' increase "the productivity and efficiency of the establishment."
The company plans to extend this evolution regarding the previous model, called 'Store 8', between 2026 and 2033, a period in which it will allocate 3.7 billion euros. The plan includes reaching around 60 'Store 9' in Spain by the end of 2026, among which this supermarket in Miribilla is included.