Sonae Group

Sonae is one of Portugal's largest and most influential multinational business groups. Founded in 1959 by Afonso Pinto de Magalhães, the company initially focused on wood processing and decorative laminates. Under the leadership of Belmiro de Azevedo, it expanded rapidly into retail, telecommunications, and real estate, transforming into a global conglomerate.

Today, Sonae operates across multiple sectors including food retail (MC), electronics and lifestyle (Sonae Lifestyle), shopping center management (Sierra), and telecommunications and financial services. While its roots and headquarters remain deeply embedded in Portugal, the group has a significant international footprint, managing projects and retail operations across Europe, Latin America, and North Africa.

Ownership of Sonae remains largely within the founding sphere, with Efanor Investimentos, SGPS, S.E. serving as the holding company for the Azevedo family. The brand is synonymous with Portuguese economic development and innovation, maintaining a robust strategy focused on sustainability and digital transformation as it moves toward 2026.