The Jerónimo Martins group has inaugurated its first distribution centre in the Algarve, a project that will create 130 jobs and bring much needed relief to the Algoz area's shops, bars and restaurants.
The group has invested €27 million in the massive high-tech building in the wasteland to the south of the town which will enable it to supply all the group’s stores in the south of Portugal.
In addition to the new Distribution Centre of the Algarve, the group operates 9 further centres in Portugal employing employ about 1,350 workers.
The Jerónimo Martins Group also announced today that it will invest in the expansion of Pingo Doce supermarkets outside of Lisbon and Oporto through partnerships, similar to franchises, and aims to open 50 more units over the next five years.
"All of our growth outside Lisbon and Oporto will be done with local franchise partners," said the chairman of the board, Pedro Soares dos Santos, at the opening ceremony in Algoz today.
This partnership is a kind of franchising, but is not based on the payment of royalties, explained dos Santos as he mingled with management, press and the Silves Mayor Rosa Palma.
