A home-grown Spanish supermarket group has climbed to the top of the global grocery pecking order, not by being the biggest, but by being the most profitable.
It is now also among the world’s strongest brands and the only Spanish name in the top 10 for brand strength in the Brand Finance Global 500 2026 ranking. The supermarket has a coveted AAA+ rating shared by just 37 brands worldwide.
Spain’s biggest supermarket chain
The supermarket in question is Mercadona, based in Valencia and now firmly established as Spain’s biggest supermarket chain.
In its latest full financial year, the company reported net profits of around €1.73 billion, after boosting its bottom line by roughly 25% in just twelve months – the highest level of profitability in the chain’s history.
In its most recent results, Mercadona reported:
- Total turnover of about €41.9 billion, up 8% year on year
- Around €39.8 billion from sales in Spain, and just over €2 billion from Portugal
- A store network of roughly 1,670 supermarkets, with more than 1,600 in Spain and around 70 in Portugal
The company has also shared more than €1 billion with staff through performance-related bonuses, wage rises linked to inflation and better working hours.
Mercadona is in the top 10 of the world’s strongest brands according to Brand Finance, ranking tenth with a rating of AAA+
Why Mercadona is so profitable
Mercadona’s record profits come from crowded shops, a streamlined range of products and a strong focus on its own brands.
- It now makes about €4.52 profit for every €100 of sales, having crossed the 4% net margin mark for the first time.
- The number of stores has dipped slightly as the company has closed or relocated less productive units, while total sales have still grown.
- Own brands at the heart of the model: Hacendado (food and drink), Deliplus (personal care) and Bosque Verde (household cleaning) take up much of the shelf space.
- Focus on productivity and logistics: Mercadona highlights record improvements in productivity, management and efficiency, backed by a multi-billion-euro investment programme.
Shopping at Mercadona as a foreigner in Spain
For many foreign residents, Mercadona quickly becomes part of daily life. The stores are designed around local shoppers, but there is a growing range of products that cater directly to international tastes.
Specific products foreign shoppers often look for
Mercadona is not a full-scale international supermarket, but it does stock a selection of familiar products for foreign customers. Examples include:
- Well-known black tea brand PG Tips, alongside Hacendado tea bags
- Heinz baked beans
- International-style cornflakes, such as Kellogg's and chocolate cereals similar to those sold in northern Europe
- A wide range of oat, soya and almond drinks
- Asian ingredients such as soy sauce, rice noodles and curry pastes
- Foreign cheeses such as Raclette and Provolone
- A notable gluten-free range across bread, pasta and snacks
What to buy in Mercadona: standout products
Beyond imported goods, much of Mercadona’s appeal comes from its own brands. These labels are central to both customer loyalty and the supermarket’s profitability.
Shoppers – local and foreign – often single out:
Hacendado olive oil and tinned fish
Extra virgin olive oil at competitive prices. Also, tinned tuna, sardines and caballa (mackerel)
Ready-made Spanish dishes:
Chilled gazpacho and salmorejo, fresh tortilla de patatas (Spanish omelette), and croquetas in various flavours
Bakery and snacks:
Fresh baguettes and barra de pan baked throughout the day. Also, Palmeras (palmier pastries), magdalenas (small sponge cakes) and local biscuits
Household and personal care brands:
Bosque Verde cleaning products and Deliplus cosmetics and skincare
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