The location of the brand's first two stores in the city of Lisbon had already been announced, Alta de Lisboa and Quinta do Lambert (Lumiar), but now we know the opening date: November. The supermarkets are two of the 10 stores that the chain plans to open this year in the country, a market where it already has 60 stores, according to a report from ECO.

In Greater Lisbon, the chain also plans to open a store in Frielas (Loures) in October. At the moment, there are already supermarkets under this brand in the region in Oeiras, Sintra (3), Torres Vedras and Vila Franca de Xira.

Of the ten openings planned for this year, three stores have already opened — Fafe (this week), Santa Iria de Azóia and Penafiel —, with the company estimating an investment of 157 million euros, after having made a total investment of 219 million euros in Portugal last year.

The company is already recruiting for the 180 jobs it plans to create with the two openings in Lisbon. “The vacancies available to work in these stores are for a supermarket operator and a maintenance assistant. All job vacancies have a training period, with a permanent contract, and are paid from day one,” Mercadona said in a statement.

“During this period, all expenses are covered by the company — food, transportation, accommodation and also trips home every 15 days for all employees,” he adds.

Present in 12 districts, Mercadona already has 7,000 employees in Portugal, of whom 1,700 joined the retailer last year. This year, the company estimates hiring 750 people for its 10 stores, an official company source told ECO.

At the beginning of the year, the “company announced an 8.5% increase for all employees, setting their starting salary at 14,963.90 euros gross per year, with a salary progression of up to 20,465.10 achieved in a maximum of four years”, in addition to the daily food allowance and the allowance for Sundays, holidays and night work hours.

“With the achievement of individual and company goals, the annual bonus is also added, which from the first full calendar year is equivalent to an extra salary and, from four years of seniority, is two extra salaries”, highlights the company.