Spain: COVID-19 Dethrones Third Largest Food Retailer and Ignites a Price War

COVID-19 had an unexpected effect on the Spanish food distribution sector. Spanish consumers spent $3.7 billion more at supermarkets compared to 2019. Changing consumer patterns in 2020 disrupted the long-historic ranking of the top three food retailers in Spain (Mercadona, Carrefour, and DIA). Retailer Lidl replaced DIA as the new third ranking retailer. Flooded with an unprecedented number of customers in this new post-COVID scenario, supermarkets in Spain are now fighting to obtain a larger share of customers with some chains starting a price war that is expected to continue in 2021.

Spain: COVID-19 Dethrones Third Largest Food Retailer and Ignites a Price War