There are those who go to Mercadona to buy cookies and yogurt. And there are those who go to Mercadona to look for the love of their life, a romance or just a night of fiery passion. Although Juan Roig’s chain has managed to gain strength retail Due to its aggressive pricing, branding and promotional policy, the Valencian company is becoming popular for something very different: being an unexpected and effective shopping destination. flirt. At least according to the discourses that are strengthened on the networks.

It resonated so much with singles that even an improved signal system was created to find a partner. The corridors of Mercadona are incomprehensible.

Hacendado Tinder? This is the expression that some X users have started using, taking advantage of their sense of irony and humor. The truth is that it reflects very well the idea that has been gaining strength in the networks in the last few days: more. With its offers, promotions and aggressive brand strategy, Mercadona is an unexpected space for dating. Just like Tinder or Bumble, only smartphones We pass through aisles lined with milk, fruit and rice packages, matches obscene shopping cart crashing.

Is it common or anecdotal? It is difficult to know if the system works, if it is anecdotal or if it is really widespread in the country’s hypermarkets. What is beyond all doubt is that the idea of ​​​​flirting between the shelves of Mercadona has created a real excitement in the networks. X, a video that has generated a lot of videos on Instagram or TikTok, where people share their experiences and even share advice on how to succeed between the freezers and the fruit stands.

A good testament to the impact they have had is that even traditional newspapers, television networks, and radio stations all over the country are booking dates on a strange phenomenon called the “Tinder of the hacendado.”

Where does everything come from? What about flirt The incident on Juan Roig’s land is not new. He spoke about it seven years ago. prime time Lea is a contestant on the show ‘Frist Dates’. Originally from Johannesburg, the young woman, despite living on the Costa del Sol, described her unique tactic for finding partners on Carlos Sobera’s show. The smuggling has been dubbed the “Mercadona trick”.

“There’s a time at Mercadona when all the singles go shopping: between seven and eight. That’s where I go,” he admitted. He didn’t buy anything during his walks between the stands, but eventually he developed an intuition for spotting potential couples: “You know they’re single because they have beer and fries in their cars.”

So why this sudden interest? Nothing new, yes news. Perhaps the “Mercadona trick” dates back to the pre-pandemic era, but it has become surprisingly famous in the last few days, with viral videos and articles in newspapers around the country. It all comes down to one person: actress and stand-up comedian Vivy Lin, who participated in the EnReD2CS program on Canal Sur. A few days ago, the woman uploaded a video of just over two and a half minutes on her personal TikTok account, in which she walks through the Mercadona with her stroller and a friend.

“I’m here at Mercadona and my friend told me: ‘I want to know what time is Mercadona for dating. Mercadona pick-up time is from seven to eight. So we’ve both made our purchases.’ and walking around,” says Vivy. In the rest of the video, she walks through the aisles of the hypermarket and confesses: “Now everyone from seven to eight is here for the same purpose. There are those who have been around for a while and haven’t come back. They don’t carry anything and they don’t hide.”

Is it easy? Yes and no. The fact that Mercadona has become an unexpected competitor to Bumble, at least according to what the networks have shown, does not mean that finding a partner in its corridors is easy. And not only because of shyness. It did not take long for users to appear on TikTok who claim that to benefit from the “Tinder of the hacendado” you have to follow certain tips, with keys, insights and nuances that almost form a code. The first thing, explains Vivy, is to adapt to “a certain time to flirt on Mercadona” (from seven to eight).

And that’s not all that needs to be taken into consideration. There are those who assure that clients/suitors who want to make their intentions clear should do at least two things. First, take a pineapple and put it upside down in the cart. Second, go to the wine section and bump the cart with other clients/suitors. Of course, as long as it has been confirmed beforehand that they are carrying their own upside down pineapple and are not simple buyers looking for a bargain or romance.

Is that all? Be committed. Fine-tune your goal and target the person you are targeting. matches/car Crash searches for the same thing you can level up to (and look at) using the code ” Hacendado’s Tinder “. Which? It’s simple. The contents of your cart become your calling card rather than your purchase. For example, there are those on TikTok who claim that if you’re looking for something “light” and not the love of your life, you should bring a salad.

“If you add chocolate or sweets, it’s because you’re looking for something very sweet, a passionate night, something like that, something quick. If you’re looking for non-perishables, like canned beans, things like that, because you’re looking for a longer-term relationship, if you’re someone who needs constant contact and you’re very clingy, if you like mature cheeses, you can also add honey,” he commented on TikTok. He posted “Tips for Flirting at the Mercadona” with over 51,000 “Likes”.

Did the tone of voice change at 19.15? Are these tips working? Or, to get to the bottom of it, is Mercadona really becoming a white-label competitor to Tinder from 7:15 pm onwards? Is there a basis for this or is it simply a phenomenon that has grown in the heat of viral videos? It’s complicated to know. What is clear is that dating in Juan Roig’s establishments has become fully engaged in the public debate, with more than just a noticeable visibility in the networks and media. And there are people who come to stores like Vivy at least to browse.

There is other evidence: Mercadona has created a valuable advertising campaign. Although, as Vivy appreciates, among the so-called Romeos and Julietas of the Hacendado there are many empty cars and more willing customers to do the same. matches Instead of jumping to the latest offer or the “2×1” of the Valencia chain.

Images | Nathan McBride (Unsplash) and Mercadona

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