It is no coincidence that Barcelona receives so many tourists every year and is considered such a cosmopolitan city. A brief stroll through its most traditional neighborhoods or its areas of tourist interest shows that there is room for the most diverse people and businesses. The city has it all: design, architecture, good weather, the beach, and one of the longest shopping routes in all of Europe, where we find century-old shops, or the pop stores of the most fashionable brands of the moment.
Barcelona has always been known for its great commercial charisma, and although in recent years it has had a hard time due to the coronavirus pandemic, it is recovering its leadership with new openings in the most well-known streets, such as Paseo de Gràcia or Diagonal.
Barcelona's shopping line covers about five kilometers of shops, shopping centers, and reference markets, offering an experience where one learns, enjoys, and disconnects while acquiring valuable objects. Balenciaga, Moncler, Golden Goose, and Tiffany & Co are some of its recent openings.
When we think of the great shopping capitals, Paris, Berlin or London immediately come to mind, and yet, Barcelona has been gaining weight for several years on this international map of cities where people look to go shopping.This statement is supported by data: several studies and rankings carried out before the arrival of the coronavirus placed the Catalan capital as the number one, or number two, shopping destination in all of Europe.In 2017, Spain surpassed all its records in income from purchases made by travelers from outside the European Union, which increased by up to 26%, according to the conclusions of the report Global Shopping Tourism Perspective 2017, prepared by Global Blue, an international tax free operator. It was only surpassed by Japan, with an increase of 46%, as a result of improved air connections with Asia and a favorable evolution of the euro.
Barcelona took advantage of this situation, carrying out some reforms to increase the pedestrian streets in the center. In 2020, with the arrival of Covid-19, this operation was paralyzed. Once the standstill was overcome, some of Barcelona's neighborhoods continue to renew themselves, and others will stand out in the coming years, becoming a pole of attraction.
An example of this is the Born neighborhood, an attractive place for its narrow medieval streets and artisan vocation, which can become an important point for local entrepreneur shops.Several studies and rankings carried out before the arrival of the coronavirus, placed the Catalan capital as the number one, or number two, shopping destination in all of Europe
For its part, the historic core of Ciutat Vella can make a difference, betting on becoming a paradise for small premium shops, attracting visitors from the city center to the sea through a pleasant walk through its urban fabric and its monumental attractions.
The Poblenou neighborhood, popular for its village flavor next to the beach, has begun a good evolution and everything indicates that it will be the city's new Soho, a hipster and creative area, which will attract young and more modern people, in search of shopsvintageand the bestbrunch.And if we talk about Barcelona's seafront promenade, we have before us the ideal walkway of shops, a perfect showcase for major fashion brands, on a route that can end next to the city's beaches.
If we want to make this possible, we will have to work on some improvements. One of the most important is mobility, since, precisely, one of the great obstacles to going shopping in other neighborhoods of Barcelona are the combinations in urban displacements if we travel by public transport, and the parking options, if we want to travel by car.We retailers also have work to do to attract consumers to stores. Innovative projects, such as home delivery, allow customers to shop more comfortably at the point of sale and return home, or to the hotel, strolling without being laden with bags. Barcelona stores are starting to open on Sundays and holidays from May to September, a commitment to give more options to customers, and for us, to try to seduce them in their leisure moments.
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