Joana Manresa, president of the Afedeco small retailers association, says that although business in 2025 has been lower than in 2024, it has been "acceptable, verging on the moderately good in terms of revenue. However, shops have been hampered by increased costs and "excessive" tax pressure.
Carolina Domingo of the Pimeco association, says: "2025 has been practically identical to the previous year. Some sectors have registered slight increases, others have remained stable, and a third group has suffered declines. In no way can we speak of widespread growth."
The Afedeco president makes a similar point - figures mask significant differences between sectors. In this regard, Domingo questions a recent National Statistics Institute report. The overall increase this announced "does not at all reflect" the reality of local shops. The figures mix petrol stations, large supermarkets, and other retailers. These distort the true picture of retailing in Mallorca. She wants official statistics to be broken down and separate out small retailers. "Only in this way will it be possible to understand and respond to the reality experienced by small businesses."
There are familiar themes to the associations' end-of-year assessments. Digitalisation of small retailing still has a long way to go; the residents' market needs strengthening in order to balance a dependence on tourism; key shopping periods don't benefit the small shops to the same extent as the large retailers. This year's Black Friday was not good, while the Christmas season has so far fallen short of previous years.
An approach to promote sales in Palma is the Palma Per Tu campaign, which begins today and runs until December 23. The two associations have organised this in collaboration with the Palma and Cala Major Hoteliers Association. The campaign offers a 20% discount on city hotels and numerous other benefits to residents. Information is on PALMA PER TU