This distinction, promoted by the European Union, highlights cities that serve as models for supporting small businesses, fostering innovation in the sector, and contributing to urban life.
This designation recognizes Barcelona’s local retail sector: a vibrant, sustainable sector deeply rooted in neighborhoods, with policies and initiatives that can serve as a model for other European cities.
The award was presented by the jury of the European Commission’s inaugural European Capitals of Small Retail Awards at a ceremony held in Brussels, Belgium.
Barcelona will celebrate its designation throughout 2026 with a program of more than 200 activities taking place in 10 different districts of the city, involving more than 70 participating organizations.
A Collective Effort
The award-winning bid has received broad support from the city’s entire commercial and institutional ecosystem. Joint participants include Barcelona Comercio, Barcelona Abierta, Fomento Comercio, the Council of Trade, Services, and Tourism Guilds, PIMEC and PIMEC Comercio, Comertia, the Federation of Municipal Markets of Barcelona (FEMM), and the Association of Shops and Merchants of Catalonia. It is also supported by the Barcelona Metropolitan Area (AMB), the Barcelona Provincial Council, the Government of Catalonia, and all municipal groups represented on the City Council.
Our local businesses are a true international benchmark:
1. A highly dynamic economic sector
Local commerce contributes 13.2% of GDP, generates more than 152,000 jobs, and keeps 90.9% of commercial premises active—a clear indicator of the strength and resilience of Barcelona’s commercial fabric.
2. A strong connection to the neighborhoods
Barcelona boasts a diverse retail sector present in every neighborhood, which brings life to the streets, fosters social cohesion, and serves as a meeting place and hub for integration for all citizens.
3. Exemplary shared governance
The bid stems from a joint strategy involving commercial hubs, markets, trade associations, and organizations, aligned with major municipal plans and underpinned by a well-established public-private partnership.
4. An innovative, sustainable and evolving ecosystem
The city is driving more than forty initiatives in sustainability, digitalization, mobility, entrepreneurship, and the revitalization of ground-floor retail spaces, placing local commerce at the forefront of Europe.
5. A source of inspiration for the rest of Europe
Barcelona has solid, exportable expertise in commercial policies, educational projects, technological innovation, and market management that can serve as a model for other cities across the continent.
What does being the European Capital of Local Commerce bring?
-It will allow for the acceleration of the deployment of the Trade and Markets Strategy 2026-2036 .
-It will strengthen public-private collaboration between Administration, commercial hubs, markets, guilds and entities.
-It will consolidate policies that improve competitiveness, sustainability and deep-rooted presence of local businesses in the neighborhoods.
-It will generate a measurable economic and social impact , with direct support to more than 61,000 commercial establishments.
-It will make its experience, data, and knowledge available to other European cities.
-It will become a space for meeting and shared learning on urban commerce, municipal markets and commercial planning.
-It will boost stable knowledge platforms .
-Spaces for cooperation and the transfer of best practices will be created, such as the European Space for Commerce, Consumption, and the City.
