1. What motives could have Mercadona to think about launching its internationalization process in the year 2012 and during a good part of 2013? Is foreign expansion the only grwoth strategy for Mercadona? Do you think it is neccessary?

2. In regard to the begining of its internationalization program, it seems that Italy is the chosen country, mainly in comparison with France and Portugal. Do you think it is a good choice? Why not France or Portugal? What market selection criteria would you use to rank countries for a supermarket retail expansion? What other possible countries besides France, Italy or Portugal could be interesting for the near future?

3.If finally Mercadona would enter into the Italian Market and in regard to its marketing and brand mix portfolio decisions: Do you think Mercadona should emphasize or maximize its own distributor brands (DOBs) like Hacendado, Bosque Verde, Deli Plus, etc, or change its product and brand mix model and emphasize premium leading Italian and global brands? Could Mercadona translate to Italy is "intrasupplier model - modelo de interproveedores?

4. How do you see the recent company decision to postpone its internationalization expansion? What motives, besides the ones already explained by the Mercadona, could be behind this decision?