Mercadona opens its first semi-automated hive with 70 robots and 500+ daily orders
Mercadona has inaugurated its first semi-automated hive in Madrid, a facility that combines technology and scale to enhance its online service. This new initiative marks a qualitative leap affecting both internal processes and customer experience.
Located in Villa de Vallecas, this hive uses 70 robots to prepare over 500 orders daily, all within a 32,000 square meter space that becomes the largest in the Mercadona network.
The investment that redefines Mercadona’s logistics
How has order preparation changed?
The new semi-automated hive in Vallecas incorporates 70 robots managing more than 2700 dry product references, partially automating the preparation process. This system delivers products directly to workers’ stations, eliminating aisle travel and reducing physical effort.
What is the scale of the investment?
With an investment of 54 million euros, the center occupies a surface of 32,000 square meters, the largest among Mercadona’s seven hives. Technology and size combine to improve productivity and workplace well-being.
Economic and labor impact in Vallecas
What is the order capacity of the hive?
The new center can prepare up to 5000 orders daily, which combined with the facilities in Getafe and Boadilla del Monte, raise the capacity to 8000 orders daily in the Community of Madrid. This increase will allow coverage of 95% of Madrid municipalities by the end of 2026.
How does it affect local employment?
The Vallecas hive will generate 700 jobs, combining technology with a design that optimizes processes and improves labor conditions. Juana Roig, general director of Mercadona Online, explains that this hive seeks for size and technology to serve the work model and customer service.
Mercadona’s digital and sustainable growth
What is the importance of this new hive?
It is the seventh Mercadona hive in Spain and the first to incorporate partial automation. Mercadona’s digital project billed over 1000 million euros in 2025, 26% more than the previous year, driven by improvements in accessibility and payment methods.
How does the eco-friendly fleet contribute to sustainability?
The center will include 175 new eco-friendly delivery vans, adapted to maintain the cold chain and reduce environmental impact. With the 80 from Getafe and 50 from Boadilla, the total fleet in Madrid exceeds 300 vehicles, reinforcing the sustainability of the online channel.
We can see that this combination of technology, large space, and eco-friendly fleet offers Mercadona a competitive advantage that not only optimizes resources but also bets on a more sustainable and customer-friendly model, especially for those who prefer shopping from home.
It is inevitable to consider how this new semi-automated hive will redefine the way Mercadona adapts to a market that increasingly demands speed and convenience, without losing sight of environmental and social responsibility.
If you want to learn more news about supermarkets, you can read the article about Supermarkets in Tarragona 2026 or discover how a new supermarket can change the dynamics of a locality.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What difference does the semi-automated hive have compared to the previous ones?
- It incorporates 70 robots to prepare dry products, automating part of the process and delivering directly to the worker’s station, which improves efficiency and reduces physical effort.
- How many jobs will the new Mercadona hive in Vallecas create?
- The hive will create 700 jobs, improving labor conditions thanks to the combination of technology and design.
- What order capacity does the new logistics center have?
- It can prepare up to 5000 orders daily, contributing to coverage of 95% of Madrid municipalities by the end of 2026.
