Spending in Barcelona’s shops exceeded historical levels during the first half of this year. A report drawn up by the Municipal Data Office of Barcelona City Council, based on credit card payments in the city’s establishments, figures a 12.4% increase in spending in the first six months of 2023 compared to the same period in 2022 and no more or less than 27% in relation to the first half of 2019.
The analysis of the municipal technicians confirms that, although the growth rate of expenditure is moderating (from 16.8% in the first quarter to 8.7% in the second), largely as a result of inflationary pressure, the results accumulated since the beginning of the year are spectacular. It is true that since the second half of last year spending has continued to grow, but at a more moderate pace, with slight upswings in the Christmas and sale campaigns and during the celebration of major congresses such as the Mobile World Congress.
In this first half of 2023, all the major commercial sectors register year-on-year growth in spending that is positive, and the highest are those of tourist and restaurant services with an increase of 16.8%, which is largely explained by the large influx of visitors to the city.
The consumption of essential goods and services rose by 8.4% in this period; that of technology does it by 5.7% and that of culture, leisure and sports shows a more moderate increase in expenditure, of 5.3%. The sectors in which spending grows the least are transport and automotive and clothing, footwear and fashion, which increase by 2% and 3.2%, respectively.
The fact that in shops dedicated to the sale of books and press the expenditure from January 1 to June 30 of this year has risen by 23% compared to the same period of the previous year is very striking. Bars and restaurants also experience strong year-on-year increases (18.4% more credit card billing than in 2022) and tourist accommodation (14.2%).
If compared with the values ??before the pandemic, it can be seen that the recovery of consumption is total and is already well above what was recorded in the first semester of 2019. In the leisure category the difference is 81%, while in the bar and restaurant category it reaches 60%.
The increase in expenditure from one year to the next reaches all the districts of the city, not only those most influenced by tourist activity. It is proof that Nou Barris is the territory in which expenditure has grown the most compared to the first six months of 2022. By 26.7%. This is followed by Ciutat Vella (16.1%), Eixample (15.1%), Sants-Montjuïc (13.5%) and Les Corts (10%). Where there has been less growth is in the Sant Andreu district, at 6.9%.
