Comerç

These awards started life in 1998 with the name Barcelona, the best shop in the world to recognise the efforts of people working behind the counters, who are responsible for Barcelona’s streets being filled with innovative, sustainable and top-quality retail businesses. Now known as the Barcelona Commerce Award, the recognition is organised by the City Council’s Directorate for Commerce, Restaurants and Food and is given to the most outstanding commercial initiatives of the year.  The award also includes the Mercats de Barcelona Award, which this year reaches its 13th edition.

The winners in the different categories this year are:

Award for the best business model: Unión Suiza (Sarrià- Sant Gervasi).

With nearly 185 years of history, Unión Suiza is one of the most iconic Catalan companies in the sector of jewellery and luxury watches. Founded in 1840 by Jaume Vendrell and Francisca Castellà, the business has managed to evolve over six generations, combining tradition and innovation to offer unique products. The jury recognised its outstanding contribution in the city’s commercial sector.

Award for local commerce: IDONI-Bon Cor (Eixample).

Located in the neighbourhood of Sant Antoni, IDONI-Bon Cor is a cooperative shop which opts for sustainability and responsible consumption. Managed by the cooperatives Menjar d’Hort SCCL and Empresa Inserció Solucions Socials Sostenibles SCCL, the shop offers local organic produce from small producers. Its activity not only promotes local commerce, but also works for the labour insertion of people at risk of social exclusion and incentivises good practices in sustainability and respect for the environment.

Albert González Award, for contributing to and raising awareness of city commerce: Núria Paricio.

With more than two decades of experience in the sector, Núria Paricio, a leading figure for commerce and coexistence in Barcelona, has demonstrated exceptional leadership in adding commercial and community vitality to the city. Her career includes directing the Fundació Tot Raval, where she implemented action models that have become examples for adding vitality to neighbourhoods and commercial associations. She has also headed community intervention projects and generated intercultural coexistence models.

Award for iconic commercial establishment: Sombrereria Obach (Ciutat Vella).

Founded in 1924 and managed by the fourth generation of the family, Sombrería Obach is a historical commercial establishment in the Gòtic neighbourhood. Specialising in hats, caps and accessories, this business has generated loyal customers over the decades thanks to the quality of its products and its friendly service. The business also stands out for its contribution to maintaining the neighbourhood’s architectural heritage, with an iconic façade listed in the city’s Catalogue of Architectural, Historical, Artistic and Landscape Heritage for Iconic Establishments.

The jury also gave a special mention to the Herboristeria del Rei (Ciutat Vella). With more than 200 years of history, this is a gem in Barcelona’s commercial heritage. Located in the Gòtic neighbourhood, the establishment combines the herbalist tradition with the preservation of a valuable historical and artistic legacy.

Mercats de Barcelona- Jordi Maymó Award

• Best individual initiative: Cardiel Sabaters.  Is a stall at the Encants de Sant Antoni with over 60 years of history. Specialising in footwear, it stands out for offering quality products, personalised service and a sales space decorated with style and character. The business has managed to adapt to the needs of today’s customers, always maintaining its spirit of proximity. It offers a wide range of products, good quality customer service and a distinctive image for its decorative characteristics.

• Best collective initiative: Associació de Concessionaris del Mercat de Lesseps. This association has become an example in adding vitality to neighbourhood commerce. Thanks to an effective communication strategy and community activities such as sustainable cooking workshops and the educational programme ‘Escaqueja’t al mercat’, the association has strengthened its ties with local people and provided a boost for local commerce.