Alarm Over Age Gap in Shop Ownership
Local retailers in Barcelona are sounding the alarm over a growing generational gap, with just 8.35% of commercial property owners aged between 16 and 34. The figure emerged during a retail sector forum on Thursday 5th November 2026, highlighting the challenge of ensuring business continuity as older owners retire. The event, 'Retail Talks: Comerç sense filtres', was hosted by the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce at the Llotja de Mar and brought together around 100 shopkeepers, entrepreneurs, students, and professionals. Discussions centred on how to attract younger people to retail careers and facilitate the transfer of existing businesses.
Retail's Economic Role and Youth Employment
The retail sector employs more than 302,805 people across the province of Barcelona and plays a vital role in the city's economy. According to a study by the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce, one in four employed people under 30 in Catalonia works in retail. Despite this, the sector struggles to be seen as a long-term career path. Participants stressed that starting a business does not always require building from scratch. Oriol Escursell, representing Demasié, advocated for taking over established shops, allowing younger entrepreneurs to combine fresh ideas with existing customer bases and operational knowledge.
Starting a business is a difficult and often lonely path. The impact and the purpose of the project are what motivate you to keep going.
Aleix Camps, founder of Típics, a project focused on reviving traditional Catalan products at risk of disappearing, shared this view, emphasising the social value of small local businesses in connecting communities.
Modernising the In-Store Experience
Several speakers addressed the need for physical stores to evolve. Judit Escudé, general manager of Eurekakids, argued that shops should become interactive spaces for discovery and product testing, offering more than just transactions. Patricia Pueyo of Patri's Closet highlighted the importance of human interaction, trust, and personalised service as key differentiators from online retail. Caterina Tuset and Daniel Claramunt of Etnia added that unique in-store experiences and word-of-mouth recommendations are crucial for visibility in competitive markets.
Blending Physical and Digital
The discussion concluded that the line between physical and digital commerce is increasingly blurred. Retailers must engage customers across multiple channels while preserving the human elements, listening, advice, and trust, that define local trade. Marta Negra, founder of Marta's Lemon Pie, noted that available tools can help turn ideas into viable businesses, while Montse Robinat of Culinarium stressed that retail offers real opportunities for long-term professional development.
Sources: Metrópoli, metropoliabierta.cat, El Nacional.
