Grocer Mercadona has reported gross sales of E16.5bn (£14.2bn) for the 2010 fiscal year, up 6.3% from last year. Net income was E398m (£341m), a 47% increase compared with 2009. The company invested about E600m (£515m), opening a net total of 46 stores.

Mercadona reduced prices by an average of 4% across its product offer, which together with the 10% reduction made in 2009 has produced savings of E2.2bn (£1.9bn) for its customers since 2008. The retailer hired 1,500 new employees in 2010, bringing the total to 63,500.