Gruppo Arena opens a new SuperConveniente store in Aci Catena (Catania)

Gruppo Arena is continuing its development plan with the opening to the public of the new SuperConveniente store in Aci Catena (Catania).

The new opening expands the brand’s presence in the area and continues Gruppo Arena’s growth, through a project that combines commercial development, sustainability and urban regeneration, giving new life to an area of almost 10.000 sq m previously occupied by a former industrial livestock company.

The project represents an important zero land take initiative: rather than affecting new agricultural or natural areas, Gruppo Arena chose to reclaim an already built-up and degraded site, transforming it into a modern commercial facility integrated into the Valle dell’Aci area.

From site remediation to area regeneration

Before the project, the site contained four buildings with a total surface area of approximately 4.500 sq m and a volume of nearly 20.000 cu m, also characterised by the presence of asbestos roofing.

The project involved significant remediation work and the demolition of the old structures, enabling the entire area to be reclaimed and transformed according to contemporary criteria of sustainability, safety and urban quality.

The new SuperConveniente now stands in their place, with a covered area of 2.225 sq m, of which approximately 1.500 sq m are allocated to sales. The new store offers the main fresh and ultra-fresh departments, including delicatessen, cured meats, fishmongery and self-service butchery, and is equipped with 6 traditional checkouts and 4 self-checkout tills.

Sustainability and energy efficiency

Gruppo Arena’s commitment to sustainability is also put into practice in the design of the new store, through solutions aimed at reducing consumption and environmental impact.

Of particular significance is the 416 kWp photovoltaic system, part of which is installed on the canopies covering 96 parking spaces. Overall, the area has 164 parking spaces, of which 4 are reserved for people with disabilities, 27 motorcycle spaces and 2 electric vehicle charging points, capable of serving four cars simultaneously.

Green areas, LED lighting and careful energy-efficiency design complete a project conceived to combine commercial functionality with environmental awareness.

An investment that generates value beyond the store

Gruppo Arena’s project also involved the surrounding public spaces, through a series of works outside the site carried out in addition to urbanisation charges and construction costs. These included resurfacing approximately 2.400 sq m of asphalt on the roads outside the area, cleaning and restoring approximately 3.700 sq m of pavements and installing new horizontal and vertical road markings over a total area of approximately 13.000 sq m.

These works accompany the opening of the new SuperConveniente, contributing to the redevelopment and improved usability of the surrounding area.

The comment

"With Aci Catena, we are continuing the development path we announced, bringing SuperConveniente to new areas that we consider strategic and where we want to strengthen our presence," says Giovanni Arena, CEO of Gruppo Arena. "We are doing so through investments that concern not only the opening of new stores, but also aim to generate value for the areas where we choose to establish ourselves. Aci Catena is a particularly significant example: we started with an area requiring major remediation and regeneration work, and today we are returning to the local area a completely transformed, modern, safe and sustainable space, without consuming new land. Our development programme is continuing, and new openings are already planned for the coming months, together with new growth opportunities that we are assessing in locations and strategic areas for the Group’s future development".

This article was translated from the original Italian version with the assistance of artificial intelligence. In case of discrepancies, please refer to the original Italian version.