Mercadona unveils first next-generation 'Store 9' supermarket in Murcia

New Águilas store promises more fresh produce space, smoother shopping and greener technology

Mercadona has opened its first ‘Store 9’ supermarket in the Region of Murcia, bringing a new style of shopping to Águilas with a strong focus on fresh produce, efficiency and customer comfort.

The new store, located at 330 Muñoz Seca Street, represents an investment of €3.7 million and marks the next step in the company’s ongoing transformation of its supermarkets. It follows a wider push by the company to modernise its stores with a more intuitive layout and improved shopping experience for customers across Spain.

One of the biggest changes shoppers will notice is the layout. The store has been reorganised from a traditional product-based format to one structured around processes, which Mercadona says makes shopping “faster and simpler” thanks to a more logical flow. At the same time, staff benefit from improved coordination and less movement when restocking shelves.

A key feature of the new model is the so-called Central Workshop, where preparation tasks such as cutting, cooking and packaging fresh products are brought together in one place. This not only helps maintain quality and freshness, but also frees up more space on the shop floor for self-service displays.

The focus on efficiency extends behind the scenes too. The store incorporates updated equipment and systems designed to reduce energy and water consumption, with savings of up to 10% and 40% respectively. New refrigeration technology improves temperature control while reducing environmental impact, and CO2 is used as a more sustainable refrigerant.

Customers will also find a few practical additions, including a rest area and a large car park with 212 spaces, as well as dedicated spots for electric vehicles and bicycles. The store is open Monday to Saturday from 9.00am to 9.30pm, and online shopping is also available.

The opening forms part of a broader period of investment and expansion for Mercadona in the Region, including new stores and upgrades aimed at better serving local communities. Alongside these physical changes, the company has also been strengthening its social role, with initiatives that redistribute surplus food to families in need.

Looking ahead, Mercadona plans to roll out this ‘Store 9’ model more widely between 2026 and 2033, with a total investment of €3.7 billion. For shoppers in Águilas, though, the future of their local supermarket has already arrived.

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