Podcast: David Cervantes and Iberia’s convenience revolution
In a new Spanish episode of Talks on Mobility, we explore the impact and evolution of convenience retail in Iberia with David Cervantes Gómez del Pulgar, Transformation Lead at FOODBOX. Together, we analyze the similarities and differences between Spain and Portugal, the shift from a cubic‑metre mindset to one focused on square‑meter value across service stations, and how technology has become a fundamental part of convenience strategies for mobility.
In this episode, we speak with David Cervantes Gómez del Pulgar, Transformation Lead at FOODBOX, about his career and the growing role of convenience in the service station business. David reflects on his more than 20 years of experience in the sector, including his tenure as part of Galp’s transformation team, during a pivotal moment for mobility in Iberia.
We also examine the similarities and differences between Spain and Portugal, the role of technology in this transition, and how to maintain strategic focus without getting swept up by new trends. In this context, David highlights the influence of Miquel Lladó’s work in staying focused on “writing the future rather than just reading it.”
“The strong growth in the number of stations to 13,000 in Iberia pushed entrepreneurs and energy companies to rethink the model and look for new additional services to maintain profitability. All of this came with a vision centered on the location aspect of fuel retail for customers’ everyday needs. This led to a diversification of the offer in which consumers now see us as a convenient stop, and the major impact in recent years has come from technology improving the customer experience.”
“In the past, we monitored trends every eight or ten years. We would see progress in Northern European countries, the top convenience markets, but it was difficult to introduce those trends into Southern markets. Today, the paradigm has shifted: trends move almost yearly, or even immediately.”
