Since 2019, the small retailers associated and the axes commercial linked to Fundació Barcelona Comerç, formed by 4,500 small retailers associated with 24 commercial axes from 53 neighborhoods of Barcelona celebrate the European Small Retail Day. It is celebrated with a big party spread out by the commercial areas of the city. In several editions small retailers associacions with Vitrines d’Europe from Bologna to Paris, among others, have also given support.​

This last 9 May we went to live the central event in front of the Sagrada Família.  One day earlier in the week of 8 to 11 May 8, the streets were filled with fairs, performances musicals , popular lunches and activities for all ages. A week for the local consumers, the​ neighbors​​ of the neighborhoods of Barcelona and many visitors who come there to integrate. Merchandising was distributed and the shop windows have blue elements with the European essence in the middle of spring.

Small retail​​ is fundamental part of our day to day. And a crucial factor of Proximity Economy. The bakeries, butchers, stores and the different types of small shops shape a human and vital landscape that gives life to neighborhoods and contributes to a cleaner, kinder and better city’s quality of life. It contributes to a Europe made from proximity and from the proximity economy, represented by the retail commercial ecosystem. These small shops, run by neighbors​​ committed, (and supported by small commerce associations as an important part of the social economy of the neighborhoods ) are very more than points of sale: they are spaces for meeting and building community.

Last 9 May we celebrated the central event in front of the Sagrada Familia

The peak of the celebration was place on 9 May in front of the Nativity Facade of the Sagrada Família :

• 3.00 pm to 6.00 pm: We celebrated Art in Commerce. Three commercial vans were painted by artists with European and Barcelonian motifs. A children's art workshop was also held .
• 6.10pm : Reading of the Barcelona Manifesto in favour of European small retail.
• 6.30pm: Musical celebration with more than 80 singers, children and youth of schools and choirs of the neighborhoods of Barcelona and Catalonia. They interpreted the Anthem of Europe, the Seller 's Song and Wonderful World.
• 6.50pm: Unfurling of the European flag for the European Small Retail Day.
• 7.15 pm: Closing of the event.

Also several neighborhoods of Barcelona have placed different celebrations at the commercial axes.

Suchs as Markets Spring, Street Retail Exhibition, Medieval Fair, Blue Tide and Small Retail Festival, Traditional and popular lunch and Commercial Festival, European Small Retail Fair and other activities were held in different schools to bring local retail closer to the new generations.

Revitalized and colourful small shops on the streets

A lot of small shops associated participated voluntarily decorating the establishments with blue promotional materials items for the European Small Retail Day. An initiative that highlights the rights, the jobs and the European values who are reflected every day in our neighborhood stores. The small shops and the small retailers are often the backbone of the local economy, and together contribute to the identity of the European municipalities and our own lifestyle.

It is a symbolic date, a proposal for other municipalities and European retail associations, that wants to contribute to local and conscious consumption, and to the revitalization of the municipalities and the proximity economy.