Two years ago, coinciding with the first steps towards a "new normal" after the epidemiological maelstrom, the consultancy Marco pointed out in a study that e-commerce had increased in Spain by up to 60%, a habit that had also spread among people over 65 years old. A trend that today seems to be current among consumers and that has led large multinationals to bet on a new business model.
The French fashion company Pimkie has joined this current of changes and has carried out a restructuring that, according to its owners, is promoted by "economic, organizational and structural causes". After announcing in March of this year the closure of 16 establishments in Spain, leaving 52 workers in an employment regulation file (ERE), the firm belonging to the Mulliez family has carried out another closure: number 28 of Portal de l'Àngel, which means a reduction of up to forty own points of sale in Spanish territory.
In 2020, the Spanish Confederation of Commerce recorded that some 63,000 establishments had been forced to close their doors, due to the damage caused by covid, the fierce competition from large companies or the lack of digitalization in more modest businesses. Likewise, some supply chains in the textile sector are expressly closing their smaller premises to concentrate their activity towards larger and better located spaces. These closures, added to good online performance, provide savings that improve their efficiency.
This would be the case of Calzedonia Group, which is preparing the opening of a new Intimissimi Uomo establishment. This new store will take over from Pimkie in a 450 square meter premises, located in one of the most appreciated areas of Barcelona. The Italian lingerie company intends to expand its presence in one of the main commercial arteries of the Catalan capital. With this operation, which will see the light in the coming months, there will be a total of four group stores open on the busiest avenue in the city: Tezenis, at number 12; Intimissimi, at 18 and another Intimissimi Uomo, at 3.
And it is that Portal de l'Àngel is not only the busiest street that connects Plaza Catalunya with the cultural and historical center of Barcelona, the Gothic Quarter, but it is also the most expensive street in Spain, with an average rent valued at 295 euros per square meter.
Calzedonia is a major international group, specialized in the design, production, and distribution of intimate apparel, swimwear, and hosiery. The group currently has different brands, among which are Calzedonia itself, as well as Tezenis, Intimissimi, and Falconeri. It has more than 5,000 points of sale distributed in 57 countries. The real estate operation was made possible thanks to the management of aRetail, with the collaboration of JLL Servicios Inmobiliarios.
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