Mercadona announce new Algarve stores

Mercadona, the Spanish supermarket chain, will be arriving in the Algarve in the last quarter of 2026, with the opening of two new supermarkets in Portimão (Nova Vila Retail Park) and Faro (Vale da Amoreira).

The arrival in the south of the country “consolidates Mercadona's long-term commitment to Portugal, with an expansion plan underway for six years, resulting in over €1.1 billion already invested,” according to a statement from the company.

According to Inês Santos, Director of Institutional Relations at Mercadona in Portugal: "Our arrival in the Algarve region has been highly requested for several years and represents an important milestone in our internationalisation journey.

“It will bring with it the natural challenges of an area that combines seasonality and year-round lifestyle, which our teams were eager to embrace. Furthermore, many of our current customers in Portugal see the Algarve as a connecting link to Mercadona, having become familiar with us through their trips to Ayamonte many years ago.

“More than just the opening of two new supermarkets, this will be the evolution of a decades-old relationship of trust, which will now also be reflected in the creation of local and national wealth, beginning with the hiring of 200 people in the coming weeks."

Recruitment

Mercadona will hire 200 people for these two new stores. The positions to be filled include supermarket operator and maintenance assistant. “All new employees will undergo a training period, which will begin in January 2026, at stores already open nationwide. They will have a permanent contract and will be paid from day one. Furthermore, during this period, all expenses will be covered by the company – food, transportation, accommodation, and travel home every 15 days for all employees”.