The food retail sector continues to grow, and new store openings are clear evidence of this. However, opening a new supermarket involves much more than simply stocking products on shelves. That is why, when discussing the essentials for a supermarket opening, we must not overlook those elements which, although sometimes in the background, have a direct impact on both the customer experience and the work of store staff.
Supermarket openings are gaining fresh momentum
In 2025, 860 food stores opened in Spain and net growth reached 600 stores, the highest figure recorded in the last decade.
However, a new store must be ready to operate efficiently from day one. Before opening, it is therefore essential to have the resources that both customers and employees will need:
- An appropriate trolley fleet: size, capacity, material and ergonomics should be suited to the type of store and the shopping profile of its customers.
- Trolley availability: there is little point in having a large fleet if trolleys end up scattered around the premises. Managing their location, together with trolley bays and shelters, helps ensure they are available whenever they are needed.
- Security: trolleys are an investment and an essential resource for customers. Systems designed to prevent trolley loss reduce costs and avoid the need for staff to retrieve them constantly.
- Technology: new store openings are also an opportunity to introduce solutions that improve resource management and provide useful information on store operations, such as CartTrack or CartControl.
For example, CartTrack uses RFID technology to provide real-time information on how many trolleys are available at different points throughout the premises. This makes it possible to know when redistribution is required and to anticipate situations where trolleys may run out.
For retailers looking to take the shopping experience one step further, solutions such as JuliusTEC are available. Its trolleys move autonomously, following the customer and detecting obstacles as they travel around the store. A Carttec solution designed for people with reduced mobility.
A store opening is the time to think about long-term operations
The figures show that food retail continues to grow, but every supermarket opening represents an investment that needs to deliver returns for years to come.
At Carttec, we work with solutions tailored to the needs of each retail environment, from technology designed to prevent unknown shrinkage to smart supermarket trolleys.
A supermarket opening begins long before the shelves are stocked and the doors open. Its success depends on having everything in place to ensure the store runs smoothly from day one.
