The rise of the ‘mercaurantes’. Mercadona’s ready-to-eat range reaches almost every Spanish supermarket
Mercadona’s ‘Ready to eat’ range has expanded to almost all of the supermarket chain’s Spanish stores and continues to grow, […]
Mercadona, the Spanish supermarket chain, has seen a surge in its ‘Ready to eat’ food range, now available in nearly all of its 1,600 stores across the country. These pre-prepared meals offer customers a convenient meal solution, eliminating the need for cooking and cleanup. In 2025, hot prepared meals from this range generated around €700 million in revenue for the company, with the broader ready-to-eat category contributing approximately €3 billion in sales.
This growth is attributed to the increasing value placed on free time by consumers, with younger generations and older adults leading the trend of purchasing prepared meals weekly. The selection focuses on traditional Spanish dishes, including paella, tortilla, and various meat and seafood options, alongside some international flavors.
To meet the demand, some stores have introduced dedicated seating areas and microwave stations, known as ‘mercaurantes’, providing a quick and affordable alternative to traditional Spanish lunch menus. However, the rapid expansion has sparked criticism from the hospitality sector, with the Gremio de Restauración de Barcelona accusing supermarkets of encroaching on their territory.
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