Today, Supermarket company, Mercadona, has opened its first store in the district of Guarda, located on Avenida de São Miguel in the town of the same name. This inauguration, the first of the 11 stores it plans on opening this year, sees the company hit its goal of 50 supermarkets in Portugal. The opening of this store has created 75 new stable and high-quality jobs, with staff on permanent contracts starting from day one, contributing to the creation of local employment.

With a sales area spanning 1,900 square metres, it features, as the chain's other supermarkets do, a butchery, fishmonger, delicatessen, pastry and bakery, cosmetics section, home and pets, fruit and vegetable, winery and Ready-to-Eat sections with self-service and a variety of ready made dishes to take away or eat in store, in a specially enabled area. In addition, “Bosses” (customers) will also find a sushi wall, where they can sample a wide variety of ready-to-eat Asian dishes, freshly packaged knife-cut ham and a freshly pressed orange juice machine as well as light, ergonomic shopping trolleys that do not require a coin to be inserted for them to be used.

The store has 140 parking spaces and two electric charging stations, in line with the company's commitment to electric mobility. Mercadona is also committed to renewable energy and specifically to the installation of solar panels at its supermarkets. This is the case of the store in Guarda, where 428 solar panels have been installed. By generating renewable energy from photovoltaic energy on the roofs of its stores for self-consumption, the company is able to improve its environmental performance and saves around 20% of electricity per year.

All Mercadona stores in Portugal are constructed pursuant to the Efficient Store Model being progressively implemented throughout the chain, with wide aisles, energy savings of up to 40% compared to a conventional store, double entrance to avoid drafts and marked by accessibility and comfort features, more sustainable cooling systems, improved insulation of refrigerator units, LED lighting and smart management of energy consumption.

As part of the company's Social Responsibility Policy and one of the main measures to avoid food waste at Mercadona, each day, starting on day one, the supermarket will donate essential products to the Centro de Formação, Assistência e Desenvolvimento da Guarda (Guarda Training, Assistance and Development Centre), a local charity with which Mercadona has entered into a collaboration agreement.

Sérgio Costa, the mayor of Guarda, stated that: “This new supermarket not only reflects Mercadona’s ongoing and strategic growth, but is also testament to how the appeal and vibrancy of Guarda is capable of attracting important investments with an eye on the future. Our commitment to creating jobs, promoting investment and cooperating actively with the industry remain our priorities. The opening of this new store demonstrates how Guarda is at the forefront of welcoming new initiatives and promoting stable, quality employment, as well as an enriching lifestyle."

In the words of Carla Cunha, Managing Director of External Relations for Central-Northern Portugal: “We are very excited about this great milestone for Mercadona, which marks the start of our 2024 Expansion Plan with the opening of our 50th store in Portugal and the first in the Guarda district. Each store we open represents a new opportunity to be even closer to our "Bosses", this time in the highest city above sea level in our country, create jobs and contribute to economic and social development. We hope that Mercadona becomes your trusted supermarket.”

Executive from the Municipal Chamber and the Board of the Parish of Guarda during the institutional visit to the new Mercadona store in Guarda, the chain's 50th store in Portugal.