The consumer electronics chain MediaMarkt is to open three new stores - in Marbella, Mijas and Vélez-Málaga.

The company has signed an agreement with Worten for the acquisition of 17 of its stores in Spain, which will allow them to open in these locations.

According to SUR sources, the company will open the stores during the first quarter of the year at the La Cañada shopping centre in Marbella; El Ingenio in Vélez-Málaga, and the Miramar retail park, in Mijas.

However, they will close the stores located in the Bahía Azul and Larios Centro shopping centres, both in Malaga city.

The firm has expressed its intention to keep all the 270 jobs in the 17 Worten stores.

The company said that the agreement will reinforce MediaMarkt's presence in areas such as Catalonia (seven stores) and will allow its arrival in locations such as Melilla, Zamora and Marbella.

The general managing director of MediaMarkt Iberia, Alberto Álvarez, said that this acquisition "fits perfectly with our strategic objectives of being the first choice as a trusted retailer for customised solutions in a world driven by technology".

He added, "These 17 new stores will boost our online sales with new collection points for orders made on the website."

The new stores are expected to begin operating under the MediaMarkt banner in the first quarter of 2021, following authorisation from the National Markets and Competition Commission (CNMC).

The deal will mean that MediaMarkt will have 7,000 employees in Spain and a total of 106 physical stores, increasing its commercial area by eight per cent and reinforcing its position as a leader in the Spanish market.

For his part, the head of Worten Spain, José Vieira de Almeida, explained that the sale of these stores "in no way affects the continuity or independence of their business".

He said that from now on they will focus on continuing to serve customers throughout Spain through online stores, in the San Sebastián de los Reyes store in Madrid and in the 15 physical stores in the Canary Islands.