Barcelona: Visionary City launch

On 28 April 2026, Barcelona officially launched its year as European Capital of Small Retail 2026 in the Visionary City category.

The event opened at the Saló de Cent with an official family photo and institutional welcome by Raquel Gil, Deputy Mayor for Social Rights, Economic Promotion and Work, Feminisms and Democratic Memory at Barcelona City Council, followed by a speech from Kristin Schreiber, Director of Chemicals, Bioeconomy and Retail (GROW.F), Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (GROW), European Commission and a video address from EISMEA. The programme then brought together the three winning cities in a Cities Panel, with contributions from Caldas da Rainha (Vibrant City), Silandro/Schlanders (Vanguard City) and Barcelona (Visionary City), including the presentation of their 2026 activity calendar.

After a networking coffee at the Gothic Gallery, the focus shifted to Barcelona's small retail ecosystem, with a video presentation and an Experience Panel on traditional commerce, generational shift in local retail, and commerce as a tool for social cohesion. The event closed with institutional remarks, an official lunch at Saló de Cròniques and a visit to Santa Caterina Market, showcasing how local commerce is embedded in the city's daily life.

Over the next twelve months, more than 200 activities will take place across the city's ten districts, designed with over 70 organisations and stakeholders. The programme is built around promotion, reflection and legacy, with the aim of strengthening local commerce and sharing it at European level. The outline of Barcelona’s activity programme as European Capital of Small Retail 2026 is available online.