Javier Morral, director of the iconic DIY and materials retailer Servei Estació Barcelona, states it would be financially impossible to launch such a large-scale business in its prime city-centre location today. In a recent interview, Morral reflected on the store’s 100-year history. He also discussed its resilience against intense property pressure and its unique place in Barcelona’s commercial landscape.
Located on Carrer d’Aragó near Passeig de Gràcia, Servei Estació Barcelona occupies over 6,000 square metres of prime real estate. Morral emphasised the investment required to establish a similar venture now would be unrepeatable. He highlighted the family’s long-standing commitment over potentially more lucrative real estate deals. Meanwhile, such pressures are not unique. For instance, many city centre shops have faced challenges, including recent infrastructure works causing business losses for retailers in other neighbourhoods.
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Home » Servei Estació Barcelona: Director on Unique History and City-Centre Model
Servei Estació Barcelona: A Century of Evolution
The Servei Estació Barcelona history charts a course of constant adaptation. The business began a century ago as a petrol station named ‘Service Station’, inspired by American models. After the Spanish Civil War, its name changed to ‘Servicio Estación’. Finally, it adopted its current Catalan name, ‘Servei Estació’.
According to Morral, as car use in the city centre declined, the owners astutely shifted focus from automotive supplies to materials and DIY solutions. Consequently, the business has remained in the founding family’s hands for four generations. Today, around 30 partners are committed to maintaining the store’s purpose. This resilience is a common theme among some of the city’s most cherished establishments. In fact, several historic Barcelona businesses made a comeback recently.
The Unique Servei Estació Barcelona Model
Morral describes Servei Estació Barcelona as an “almost unique store model in Europe.” He notes only two other comparable city-centre stores exist, one in Germany and one in France. The Barcelona store boasts an inventory of 60,000 different items. Furthermore, it serves around 2,000 customers daily with a team of 110 staff members.
The store’s core principle is to provide solutions for all budgets, from individual households to large businesses. “Here you can buy things you don’t find in other places,” Morral explained in an interview with El Periódico. He stressed that despite the threat from online giants like Amazon, customers value the in-person advice and expertise his team provides. Therefore, the store maintains a strong competitive edge.
Servei Estació Barcelona: A Business Reflecting a Changing City
The store’s clientele has evolved along with Barcelona’s demographics. Morral noted that a third of their customers are now of immigrant origin. This directly reflects the city’s changing population. He believes the store plays an important social role. Specifically, it helps young people, the elderly, and the struggling middle class to affordably maintain and improve their homes.
This commitment to the city was recently recognised when Servei Estació Barcelona received the prestigious ‘Barcelona Comerç’ award from the city council. For Morral, the award validates the store’s spirit of modernisation. It also recognises its contribution to the quality of life in Barcelona. This recognition comes at a time when the city actively supports local commerce. For example, initiatives include Barcelona’s grants for local businesses. In addition, the director affirmed the company’s vocation is to “be and grow in the middle of cities.” Therefore, it plans to continue serving Barcelona and Girona, with potential future expansion.
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