Mercadona, a physical supermarket and online sales company, has again demonstrated solidarity with the most vulnerable groups and intensified its social impact. In 2023, the network expanded its collaboration with social assets, adding 215 new organizations from diverse regions in Spain and Portugal, significantly enriching the support it offers.
The company reports,
We cooperate with 762 social organizations. This collaboration enabled the delivery of 23,100 tonnes of products, equivalent to more than 380,000 shopping carts over the course of the year, according to Laura Cruz, the director of Social Action.
In Alicante province, where nearly all Mercadona stores operate, daily product donations were organized by 35 social organizations in 2023, delivering more than 900 tonnes of food and equating to over 15,000 shopping carts.
Mercadona’s involvement extended beyond donating essentials. The company supported recruitment campaigns such as Great Food Collection, organized in partnership with the Spanish Federation of Food Banks (FESBAL) and its internal “Patrons.” From November 24 to 30, a total of 2.6 million euros was donated to transform contributions into food donations.
In this latest edition, Mercadona expanded its footprint to 1,632 stores where coordination and communication activities enable customers to donate at checkout in multiples of 1 euro. This method is promoted because it aligns donations with real beneficiary needs while boosting efficiency for food banks. Laura Cruz explains that donors can obtain the products they need, in suitable quantities, at the time they are needed.
The company has long championed progressive collaboration and practical programs. The Society Cards program allows assistance to be directed to users, helping them complete their shopping in fresh and dry goods at the supermarket. This initiative is described as elevating the act of purchasing by increasing user involvement and improving situations of vulnerability.
A sustainable social action policy integrated into the CSR strategy
Mercadona maintains an ongoing commitment to its environments and each year promotes responsible social, environmental, and governance initiatives with positive impacts on operations. As part of this commitment, it aligns with international standards through partnerships such as the United Nations Global Compact Spain, an initiative supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The company actively pursues its own Social Action Plan, strengthening ties with society yearly through values like dialogue, transparency, and active listening. Through these values, Mercadona builds stable relationships in its communities, emphasizes closeness, identifies specific needs, and offers practical solutions grounded in consensus and mutual understanding. As part of this policy, Mercadona collaborates with 762 organizations, donating 23,100 tonnes of food in 2023 [citation].
Mercadona also advances the Trencadís Project, which involves people with mental disabilities in the workforce by contributing to decorative murals in the fish sections of stores.
Another strategic line in Mercadona’s Social Responsibility Plan focuses on environmental sustainability. The company operates its own Environmental Management System centered on three pillars: sustainable production, circular economy, and decarbonization. Specific actions include logistics optimization, energy efficiency, animal welfare, and waste prevention, management, and recovery. In this effort, Mercadona works closely with suppliers on initiatives like Sustainable Urban Distribution and improving air quality in cities by using cleaner and more efficient trucks and vans.
Reflecting their commitment to sustainable mobility for customers, the company has installed 1,350 charging points for electric vehicles in the car parks of more than 500 stores. The rollout began in 2017 with the Efficient Store Model, and plans are in place to expand this network further. Solar panels continue to be installed across stores, underscoring the firm’s dedication to renewable energy.