Portugal: The Portuguese Food Retail Sector
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In 2019, the number of large-sized commercial establishments selling food amounted to 1,747 units, with a turnover of $16,1 billion and 83,228 employees. The groups Sonae and Jerónimo Martins are the leaders of the national retail sector. Many Portuguese consumers have limited their food expenditures in response to COVID-19, increasingly seeking for promotions and discounts, while continuing to value quality and convenience. As of yet, the economic consequences of the pandemic have not severely affected consumers’ purchasing power, although this is likely to happen in the first half of 2021 when government support for businesses should come to an end and unemployment rises as a consequence. The pandemic boosted e-commerce of food products, alongside with consumer's preference for convenience and proximity stores. Increased demand for national and local products as well as for healthy foods was reported. The following is a commissioned report prepared in collaboration with Arcadia International.