MC SHARED SERVICES SA

Their core work

MC Shared Services SA is the shared services arm of Sonae MC, Portugal's largest food retailer, operating supermarkets, hypermarkets, and shopping centers. In H2020 projects, they serve as a large-scale industry end-user, providing real-world retail environments for piloting and validating innovations — from sustainable food packaging and energy-efficient buildings to e-commerce cybersecurity and smart logistics. Their value lies in offering access to extensive retail infrastructure, consumer data, and supply chain operations where research outputs can be tested at commercial scale.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In the early period (2016–2018), Sonae focused on food-related challenges — sustainable packaging (YPACK), food safety, and logistics optimization (SELIS, ICONET) — reflecting core retail operations. From 2019 onward, their portfolio shifted decisively toward smart buildings and energy performance (POCITYF, InterConnect, SATO, PROBONO) alongside cybersecurity for e-commerce (ENSURESEC, FISHY). This evolution mirrors a retailer modernizing its physical infrastructure for energy efficiency while simultaneously securing its growing digital commerce channels.

Sonae is converging on the energy-digital intersection — expect continued interest in building decarbonisation, smart grid integration, and data-driven sustainability across retail operations.

How they like to work

Sonae operates exclusively as a consortium participant, never as coordinator, across all 19 projects — consistent with their role as an industry end-user providing pilot sites and validation environments rather than driving research agendas. With 465 unique partners across 31 countries, they maintain an exceptionally broad network, suggesting they are a sought-after demonstration partner. Their participation in both large Innovation Actions (10 projects) and Research & Innovation Actions (7 projects) shows willingness to engage at different technology readiness levels.

An extensive European network spanning 465 unique partners across 31 countries, making Sonae one of the more broadly connected industry participants in Portugal. Their partnerships span energy, digital, food, transport, and security sectors, reflecting the multi-faceted nature of large-scale retail operations.

What sets them apart

Sonae brings something rare to EU consortia: a major retailer with massive physical infrastructure (stores, warehouses, shopping centers) and digital platforms willing to serve as real-world testbeds. Few industry partners can simultaneously offer pilot environments for food packaging, building energy systems, logistics networks, and e-commerce security — all under one corporate umbrella. For consortium builders, this means a single partner that can validate research across multiple domains at commercial scale.

Highlights from their portfolio

• InterConnect
  Largest single EC contribution (EUR 665K) — Sonae piloting smart home/building/grid interoperability across their retail and commercial building portfolio.
• POCITYF
  Long-running positive energy city transformation project (2019–2026, EUR 350K) positioning Sonae in urban-scale energy transition demonstrations.
• YPACK
  Early flagship sustainability project developing PHA-based biodegradable packaging to replace conventional food packaging — directly targeting retail food waste.