In December 2023, the first SIS supermarket opened in Vilafranca del Penedès with an ambitious challenge: to demonstrate that creating employment opportunities for people in vulnerable situations and building stronger communities can go hand in hand with a profitable business model.
The idea emerged in 2021 from a partnership between Entrem, Associació Alba, Bildi Grafiks, and Tandem Social, four established social economy organizations united by a common purpose: transforming the retail grocery sector.
The “what” was clear, but the “how” still needed to be defined. The project required a viable business model, an equal partnership with a major retail company, and an approach that could be replicated in other regions. The challenge was not simply to open a store, but to design a model capable of inspiring others.
Intercooperation as the Foundation of the Model
The project began by establishing the foundations for cooperation among the four organizations: transparency, trust, shared commitment, and a common purpose. Building on these principles, the SIS model was developed over the following year, defining its purpose, business model, social impact, governance structure, agreements with franchisors, and evaluation methodology. Tandem Social contributed its strategic expertise, supporting the development of the business model, governance framework, and impact assessment.
This process resulted in a model built around three key elements. First, a supermarket operating as a social franchise in partnership with Caprabo, which provides the brand, infrastructure, and logistics network while allowing part of the product selection to be managed independently, giving greater visibility to locally sourced products and goods from the social economy. Second, Espai SIS, an adjoining café that serves as a community meeting point and a space for training and awareness-raising activities. Third, a commitment to workforce inclusion, providing employment opportunities for people in vulnerable situations with support from local special employment centers and work integration social enterprises.
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Data collected in 2025, after a year and a half of operations, confirms that SIS in Vilafranca is a viable model with measurable social impact:
- 13 employees, 9 of whom (70%) come from vulnerable groups, and 4 people who have already transitioned into the mainstream labor market. Employee satisfaction stands at 9.2 out of 10.
- More than €50,000 in sales of products from over 60 social economy suppliers, some of which tested their products at SIS before entering Caprabo’s distribution network.
- More than 70 community activities involving 50 organizations and over 600 participants.
- More than €350,000 secured in one-time grants to support the launch. Losses have remained limited during the first two years, and the supermarket is expected to break even in its third year without subsidies, with projected revenue of approximately €1.1 million.
A New Framework for Moving Forward
The project is now entering its replication phase. The Cooperativa de Serveis SIS Supermercats Inclusius i Socials has been established to bring together organizations developing social franchises, enabling them to share knowledge, exchange experiences, and pool operational services.
To date, more than 15 organizations have visited the project, and some are considering joining Grup SIS to replicate the model in their own regions. The ultimate ambition goes even further: to make workforce inclusion, social economy products, and stronger community ties part of every supermarket’s operations.
For Tandem Social, SIS embodies the essence of our mission and the value of being involved in a project from within: not simply providing advice, but actively participating in the partnership that designs, validates, and scales a model through intercooperation. Combining economic viability, social impact, and shared governance is what enables an idea to become a replicable model that others can follow.
