The Sorli supermarket chain, a Catalan institution with over a century of history, has reaffirmed its commitment to remaining in Catalonia, with administrator Anna Sorli stating the company sees ample opportunity for growth within the region. Sorli’s declaration comes amidst Catalonia’s dynamic economic landscape, evident in recent housing market surges and ongoing corporate social responsibility debates.
Your browser does not support the video tag.
Anna Sorli, who also serves as president of the Sorli Foundation, recently received the prestigious Respon.cat 2025 award in recognition of her dedication to corporate social responsibility (CSR). This accolade highlights Sorli’s efforts to transform the family-owned business, which operates 106 stores across Catalonia, into a more equitable and socially conscious organisation.
Commitment to Catalonia
In an interview, Sorli stated:
We do not plan to leave Catalonia; we have enough business to grow here.
This statement underscores the company’s confidence in the Catalan market and its dedication to serving local communities. The Sorli chain, known for its commitment to health, nutrition, and well-being – with gyms located in eight of its stores – reported a turnover of €292 million in 2025, a 2.5% increase from the previous year. Furthermore, the company’s operating profit more than tripled after investing €104 million over ten years to transform the family business, according to the Ara newspaper.
The administrator’s father, 92-year-old Jordi Sorli, continues to attend the company offices daily and, as president, has the last word on major decisions. Sorli plans six new projects for late 2026 and 2027, expanding its presence primarily outside of Barcelona, but remaining within the Catalan territory.
Championing Gender Equality
A significant aspect of Sorli’s leadership is her commitment to gender equality and the fight against sexism. The Sorli Foundation, established in 2019, reflects this commitment by focusing on promoting effective gender equality in the workplace and combating gender-based violence. The organisation’s goal is to replicate its successful equality and anti-sexism initiatives within the family business and extend them to other companies and employees across Catalonia.
Sorli explained:
Once we started to have our homework better done at the company and everything more organised, with an equality plan well implemented, and having walked in that direction, I encouraged the whole family to create a private foundation, the Sorli Foundation.
The foundation aims to tackle inequalities in the labour sector, helping businesses understand that prioritising equality yields benefits and should be driven by conviction, not obligation.
The Generalitat de Catalunya (Government of Catalonia) has also demonstrated a strong commitment to gender equality, even declaring itself a “world leader in feminism and feminist policies”. Catalonia has a dedicated Ministry of Equality and Feminisms, created in May 2021. This governmental support aligns with the Sorli Foundation’s mission to empower women and promote inclusivity in the workplace.
Catalonia’s Housing Market Boom
Sorli’s commitment coincides with a notable resurgence in Catalonia’s housing market. According to a recent report, 2025 saw a record number of home sales in Catalonia, surpassing even the peak levels of 2007 before the financial crisis. Catalonia recorded a total of 112,585 transactions, exceeding the 2007 figure by 1,100, reports Ara.
This contrasts with the rest of Spain, where home sales remained below the 2007 peak. The Catalan housing market’s faster recovery, therefore, suggests a robust economic environment that supports Sorli’s confidence in the region’s potential for growth.
Looking Ahead
As Sorli moves forward, its commitment to Catalonia and its progressive values position it as a key player in the region’s evolving economic and social landscape. Its continued expansion, coupled with its focus on CSR and gender equality, signals a promising future for the supermarket chain and its contribution to the community.
With a rich history rooted in Catalonia, Sorli’s dedication to its home market demonstrates a strong belief in the region’s potential. This commitment is particularly noteworthy in a globalised world where companies often prioritise international expansion. Indeed, Sorli’s decision to stay focused on Catalonia is a testament to its local roots and its commitment to serving the needs of the Catalan people.
