Eroski is planning to expand its estate of convenience stores in tourist zones and metropolitan areas, where the model has proven successful.
Two years ago, the Spanish retailer, which forms part of the Mondragon Group, launched a new Rapid store format to enable customers to shop quicker, responding to a change is shopping patterns.
At only 140 sq meters, the Rapid stores are smaller than the usual supermarkets. They have around 1,500 products on display, including freshly baked pastries.
The retailer – which has a 5.6% market share of grocery stores with network of 1,651 outlets – has opened more than ten Rapid stores, with another 20 planned by the end of the year. It aims to have 200 convenience stores over the next five years.
The retailer is also looking at partnership with small local stores to open 50 more stores under the Eroski Rapid franchise. In 2018 it opened 52 franchises after an investment of €7.6m, and plans 50 more franchises in 2019.
With six million members and 33,000 employees, Eroski is the sixth largest food retailer in Spain.
