Summer sales slump hits key retail zones
Barcelona Oberta has warned of a "generalised decline" in visitors and sales across the city's main commercial corridors during the summer compared to last year. The business association attributes part of the downturn to ongoing construction work and mobility challenges that have "negatively affected" retail activity. The group highlights La Rambla, Glòries and Creu Coberta – Sants as among the most impacted areas. It stresses that disruptions extend beyond shops directly adjacent to sites, affecting major access routes used by customers from the metropolitan area.
Call for coordinated planning from September
Barcelona Oberta is urging authorities to implement a "specific plan" for managing construction starting 1 September. With many long-term projects set to continue, the association calls for phased planning to minimise restrictions and better coordination between administrations and operators to prevent overlapping works. It demands accessible routes, clear signage and alternative transport options be guaranteed. The group also criticises the lack of sufficient support mechanisms for businesses facing sustained drops in turnover, stating they should not bear the economic cost alone.
We cannot face the return to school and the autumn shopping season with the same accumulation of restrictions as this summer.
Broader concerns over visitor spending
The warning comes amid wider signs of reduced tourist expenditure in central Barcelona. Reports from La Rambla indicate some hospitality workers have seen revenue fall by up to 70%, with visitors more likely to compare prices, avoid premium-priced items like €22 sangria pitchers, and eat supermarket meals in hotel rooms instead of dining out at lunchtime. Staff in the area note tourists are choosing shared dishes, skipping desserts and coffees, and mainly using restaurants for evening drinks. This shift suggests a move away from high-spending behaviour seen in the immediate post-pandemic period.
Mobility fears compound retail pressure
Separately, an earlier study commissioned by Barcelona Oberta found that 58% of metropolitan-area shoppers would stop coming to the city if they could no longer drive, potentially costing retailers between €2.8 billion and €3.5 billion annually. The association’s president, Gabriel Jené, has previously stated that perceived barriers to car access, such as the Eixample superblocks, Laietana road calming, zero-emission zones or tunnel openings, risk deterring buyers. Jené warned that without viable alternatives, the inconvenience of reaching central Barcelona could lead to lasting losses in footfall and employment, estimating up to 25,000 jobs could be at risk if customer habits shift permanently.
Primary sources: Gemma, Montse. Reported by beteve.cat, Cristina Alonso, eb.sabadell.cat, Resumen de Prensa, Patricia Castán, metropoliabierta.cat, catalannews.com, Ricardo Rubio, Graham Keeley, BLANCA AZNAR, cronicaglobal.elespanol.com, lavanguardia.com, VIA Empresa.
