Barcelona shopkeepers have identified security threats and tax burdens as their primary business concerns according to the latest municipal commercial survey (in Catalan). The annual study, which gathered responses from 2,411 business owners and managers in autumn 2024, reveals a retail sector grappling with economic pressures and safety issues.
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Economic pressures dominate Barcelona shopkeepers’ worries
Taxation and operational costs emerged as the foremost concern for 11.6% of respondents. Furthermore, business owners highlighted rising rental expenses as particularly burdensome. The survey indicated average commercial rents have reached €1,556 monthly, representing a €200 increase from the previous year. Consequently, many retailers expressed serious doubts about their long-term financial viability.
Security concerns followed closely behind, with 11.5% of participants citing theft and safety issues as their main challenge. This single-response category demonstrates the clear impact of criminal activity on Barcelona’s retail sector. Business owners reported significant anxiety about merchandise theft, cash robbery, and valuable item pilferage from their establishments.
Competition and environmental factors challenge Barcelona shopkeepers
Competition ranked as the third major concern for 10.7% of surveyed retailers. This category encompasses competition from online retailers, large shopping centres, and perceived unfair trading practices. Additionally, environmental factors like street cleanliness, unpleasant odours, and ongoing construction works troubled 7.3% of business owners.
Other significant issues included insufficient customer traffic and low sales volumes (7.2%), inadequate or ageing premises (5.4%), and staffing problems (4.6%). Meanwhile, highly publicised topics like commercial homogenisation and Sunday trading liberalisation registered minimal concern among respondents.
District-level analysis revealed notable geographical variations in business concerns. Ciutat Vella retailers reported security as their primary issue at 26.5%, more than double the citywide average. Sant Martí and Sants-Montjuïc business owners also expressed above-average anxiety about theft. Conversely, Sarrià-Sant Gervasi shopkeepers showed the least security concerns at just 3.7%.
Rental costs generated particular distress in Sant Andreu, Gràcia and Sants-Montjuïc districts. Meanwhile, Nou Barris and Gràcia business owners expressed significant concern about e-commerce competition. The survey results highlight the diverse challenges facing Barcelona’s retail sector across different neighbourhoods and commercial environments.
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