Electronics retailer MediaMarkt will close its prominent Fontanella street store in Barcelona, its flagship location, as part of a strategic relocation to the El Triangle shopping centre in Plaça Catalunya. This significant move, expected by late 2026 or early 2027, aims to expand the company’s retail footprint and modernise its customer experience.

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MediaMarkt’s New Lighthouse Format

The new MediaMarkt establishment in El Triangle will span over 6,500 square metres across three floors. This makes it the second “lighthouse” store for MediaMarkt in Spain. The company aims to increase its retail surface area and enhance its visibility in a prime city centre location. This format integrates advanced technology, immersive experiences, and comprehensive services within large-scale premises.

Sources from CBRE, the real estate consultancy managing the operation, highlighted the strategic value of the new site. They stated, “El Triangle is a strategically positioned centre, with a constant pedestrian flow and a very consolidated commercial mix.” This location offers an exceptional opportunity for a brand seeking to establish itself in a high-traffic area of Barcelona.

MediaMarkt first introduced its pioneering “lighthouse” format in Spain in Madrid during 2022. These stores focus on combining cutting-edge technology with interactive customer experiences. They feature brand boutiques and innovative immersive technologies, providing a modern shopping environment for electronics and appliances.

Fontanella Store’s Future and High Rent

MediaMarkt opened its Fontanella street store, located at number 6 opposite El Corte Inglés, in 2016. This 3,300-square-metre premises will soon seek a new tenant. The current rental cost for this highly visible location exceeds 160,000 euros per month, according to Metrópoli Abierta. The closure will free up significant commercial space in a key city thoroughfare.

Broader Retail Shifts in Plaça Catalunya

This year, Plaça Catalunya is experiencing other notable movements within its commercial sector. Telecommunications operator Orange will also close its store, situated on the ground floor of the Olivia Plaza Hotel since September 2020. This closure forms part of Orange’s broader reorganisation of its sales network across Barcelona.

Orange will relocate to a larger, more strategic premises on Portal de l’Àngel, occupying the former Vodafone store at number 36. Portal de l’Àngel is a high-traffic pedestrian street, widely considered one of Spain’s most prime retail locations. This move aims to strengthen Orange’s presence in high-performance urban commercial environments, ensuring continued service and customer experience.

Both the MediaMarkt and Orange relocations are significant for Barcelona’s retail landscape. Officials expect these changes to finalise by late 2026 or early 2027. These strategic moves underscore a trend towards larger, more experiential retail formats in the city’s most prominent commercial hubs, enhancing the shopping experience for residents and tourists alike.

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Originally published by Metrópoli Abierta – Urban Life. Read original article.