MEDIA MARKT COMING TO VICAR

Listen to this article

One of the retail ‘giants’ in consumer electronics, Media Markt, is researching the possibility of opening a branch in Almeria. The location, which seems most likely, will be the Vicar Business Park at the confluence of the Mediterranean Highway with access to El Parador y Roquetas de Mar.

The company have been in contact with Antonio Bonilla, the mayor of Vicar, although it is still trying to maintain a certain amount of secrecy about the details surrounding the decision to build what would be the first branch of Media Markt in the province of Almeria, one of the few in Spain in which the company is not already present.

The company has indicated that the project is linked to the expansion of the Vicar Business Park, an extension to which was approved by the full City Council last December, which will be undertaken in the coming months.

The City Council confirmed that the extension to the business park will take place in the west, although it was initially speculated that works would be carried out in the north. The additional area to be established is thought to be in the region of around 20,000 square meters, adjacent to the existing facilities. It is hoped that the new expansion will bring in a number of additional national retail outlets.

The mayor said that Media Markt is not the only retailer interested in moving into premises in the extended commercial centre and that already several large commercial retailers have shown interest in opening premises in the Business Park.

The mayor said “We intend to drive growth into this area because it represents wealth creation and employment for our residents. The ultimate goal is to develop a major shopping complex providing high capacity and attractive services to the region with ease of access from neighbouring villages and towns. There is total potential of over 400,000 customers who will use the retail park.”

At this stage Media Markt is still to finalise its plans and has not yet provided information regarding a build or opening timetable. The company explains that it is only waiting for a firm announcement of expansion plans from the Vicar Ayuntamiento before they make public the details of their new store.

Media Markt was founded in 1979 and bases its activity on a selection of branded products at a guaranteed minimum price with each general manager responsible for the products offered, the prices, staff and marketing. Today the chain has 60 stores throughout Spain and 663 in 15 European countries and China.