At the end of the year, the sector had added 257 new points of sale to the commercial fabric of the country, which recorded a growth of 3.8% in the commercial area.

Despite being a highly concentrated market, in which the first four operators by sales bring together 67.6% and half of the stores, Portuguese distribution still presents growth opportunities for chains. Proof of this are the active expansion plans of many of the distributors, who seek to strengthen themselves in the areas in which they are already present, in addition to gaining access to new districts in which they do not yet operate.

Aldi growth

The Portuguese distribution continues to be led by MC Sonae, which at the end of the year was more than six points away from the local group Jerónimo Martins. Although both added more than 20,000 m2 to their commercial fabric, the growth of the German chain Aldi stands out, which led the openings by area and climbed one position in the general ranking, reaching seventh place.