The Spanish supermarket chain has announced that it has started the recruitment process for the supermarket that will open in Vila Real, as it has already announced for Beja.

"Mercadona, a supermarket company with 68 stores in Portugal, will open a new supermarket in Vila Real next year. This new store will generate 70 new jobs," reads a statement released by the company and reported by NM.

Mercadona adds that the open positions at this store are for store operators (all sections) and "all job offers include a training period, with a permanent contract, paid from day one."

"Furthermore, during this training period, all expenses are covered by the company – food, transportation, accommodation, and also trips home twice a month for all employees," the statement reads.

"Mercadona is present in several districts in Portugal and already has more than 7,000 employees. To respond to its expansion plan, the company is recruiting for various positions, reinforcing its commitment to the national territory and creating stable and quality employment," explains the Spanish brand.

Wage increase

It further states that, "at the beginning of 2025, the company announced an 8.5% increase for all employees, applied since January 2025, setting their starting salary at €14,963.90 gross per year, with salary progression up to €20,465.10 achieved in a maximum of 4 years."

"To these amounts are added the daily meal allowance and other benefits provided for in the company's Compensation Policy, such as Sunday pay, holiday pay, and night shift pay. Upon meeting individual and company goals, an Annual Bonus is also added, which from the first full calendar year is equivalent to an extra salary and, from 4 years of seniority, is equivalent to two extra salaries," it stated.

Furthermore, "The company's salary scale, in effect in 2025, thus offers an entry-level salary 23% above the national minimum wage (SMN). Employees with more than 4 years of seniority currently earn a salary 68% higher than the SMN."

According to the group, Mercadona "has a differentiated Human Resources Policy that focuses on career building, salary progression, equity, and internal promotion, one of the main ways to value and create development opportunities, seeking talent within the company itself. Mercadona also has a training policy that is essential for preparing the future of all employees, and which allows for their personal and professional development."

"Recently, and for the third consecutive year, Mercadona was distinguished in the Randstad Employer Brand Research 2025 awards as the most attractive company to work for in the distribution sector," the same statement further adds.