Catalan retail creates RetailCat

The retail sector presented the Catalan Retail Entities Union  (RetailCat) this Thursday, a new business organisation representing 30,000 businesses Catalonia, in other words, 30% of the sector. The purpose behind the initiative is to serve as a business organisation representing the sector in Catalonia and meet the new reality of a dynamic, competitive and constantly transforming sector.

RetailCat is an initiative from the Barcelona Comerç Foundation, Barcelona Oberta, Comertia and Cecot Comerç retail associations. Joan Carles Calbet, the Chair of Comertia, will be at the forefront of the organisation which “aims to discuss, debate and search together for ways to take on the big challenges of the retail trade”. The organisation intends to be contemporary, flexible, collaborative and subject to  transparent governance.

RetailCat's cornerstones are the defence and promotion of the sector. To this end, the organisation will have three separate areas dedicated to promotion, talent and lobbying, to influence aspects relating to commercial activities in Catalan cities.

RetailCat represents 30,000 commercial establishments distributed throughout Catalan territory (30%), providing employment for 230,000 workers, practically 50% of Catalonia's retail commerce workers, and constituting together 7% of the GNP.

According to those in charge of the new organisation, RetailCat’s strength lies in the capacity of its members to agree on and work in the same direction to champion Catalan retail commerce. That is why the organisation’s promoters are calling for new members.