Gorillas exits Spain less than a year after launching
Gorillas, the company known for ultra fast home deliveries, is withdrawing from the Spanish market just months after opening its doors. The move comes amid reports of a broad layoff that would affect 300 workers across the organization, according to information confirmed by El Periódico citing company sources. Management reportedly encouraged employees to form negotiating committees to begin discussions around the employment regulation dossier ERE, signaling a formal restructuring process. The departure is tied to a strategic review aimed at exiting Spain as part of a global realignment led by the German-founded startup, which operates ghost supermarkets in major cities. The news marks a swift pivot as the company evaluates how to restructure its footprint in Europe and focus on markets deemed more favorable for returns. The aim appears to be a clean exit, with plans to transfer assets to a local partner while keeping workers outside the deal. The company is understood to be conducting talks with potential buyers, though no names have been disclosed as negotiations proceed toward a closure. Gorillas has relied on its client base and a delivery network powered by its app, leveraging partnerships such as an agreement with Just Eat to reach customers for its speed-focused grocery service.
The Spanish market entry unfolded quickly, but the strategic calculus shifted within a year as the platform evaluated its financial standing and prioritized markets delivering higher profitability. Spain has not been among the standout performers in this calculus. The search for a local partner to absorb assets underscores the intent to minimize ongoing exposure while preserving value for stakeholders. With the workforce not included in the asset transfer, employee representatives have stepped in to shape the process. Ongoing negotiations are reported to be underway with a potential buyer, though the disclosure of the buyer’s identity remains withheld until a deal is finalized. Gorillas remains active in Spain through its existing client portfolio and ongoing app-based advertising efforts to attract customers for rapid grocery deliveries, a model anchored by the convenience highlighted by the partnership with Just Eat.
Gorillas announced its intention to depart from Spain in a move that seemingly left workers with limited time to organize unions. The company currently lacks a direct interlocutor to negotiate the ERE, prompting the formation of a temporary committee consisting of thirteen representatives from different business centers before 29 June. In support of the workers, prominent unions CCOO and UGT are providing consultancy to guide the employees through the process. Some top executives, including Pedro Suárez de Lezo, who had served as a project manager, left the company in the wake of the global restructuring announcement, signaling a broader leadership shake-up accompanying the exit plan.
Relations with Glovo and the Delivery Hero connection
Gorillas’ withdrawal is closely tied to the competitive landscape and recent corporate maneuvers in the sector. The exit follows Delivery Hero’s involvement earlier in the year, when the German group became a significant shareholder after investing around 200 million euros. A few months later, Delivery Hero increased its stake in Glovo, consolidating influence and classifying Glovo as a primary competitor in the Spanish market. Glovo operates a similar delivery model with a strong courier network and a focus on rapid grocery delivery, while Gorillas and Glovo are pitched against other players in the field, including Turkish Getir. The consolidation by Delivery Hero is seen by industry observers as a strategic move to streamline operations and reduce overlap as it positions Glovo for greater market dominance. As a result, Gorillas’ presence in Spain is being pruned to align with the broader restructuring strategy that favors Glovo’s continued expansion over competing brands. The shift reflects a broader trend in the sector where consolidation and market exit decisions are driven by the pursuit of efficiency and scale.
Workforce sources indicate a period of uncertainty has persisted for weeks since the restructuring announcement. Employees described a sudden email that revealed the ERE process, catching many off guard. The company has facilities in Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, and Alicante, but management has not yet moved to relocate or finalize compensation arrangements. Workers remain hopeful for favorable terms and a transition that recognizes their service and continuity needs, with seniority and overnights contributing to their compensation considerations. The unfolding scenario underscores the human impact of rapid strategic pivots in the fast-moving delivery sector, where market exits can ripple through families and communities reliant on these roles.