Franchises occupy vacant buildings in the historic center of major cities
The shift in buying habits and the rise of online retail are reshaping urban retail landscapes. Traditional stores find it harder to compete as franchises move into storefronts once run by family businesses that have stood for generations. Local business advocates urge measures to level the playing field, arguing that tax policies could help small traders facing the odds against large e commerce platforms.
Many shoppers still prefer to browse in person, and a few independent shopkeepers voice concern that the internet is hurting small operations. A longtime shop owner on a central street notes how his business, built over nearly two decades, recently closed its doors as the neighborhood changes and convenience wins out for many customers. The closure marks a broader trend where the historic artery loses some of its foot traffic and character.
Small shops struggle as the urban landscape evolves
Small businesses describe a quiet crisis. Some warn that without steady support, several family-run stores will fall away, taking with them a unique local character and the chance for people to see and touch products before buying. As traditional commerce recedes, the local culture risks fading along with the storefronts that gave the city its personality.
The disappearance of smaller shops is seen as a loss for the community and for the experience of shopping in person. According to industry voices, quality employment is also affected when smaller operations shrink and fewer people find steady, long-term roles in local retail. Every euro spent with local vendors circulates within the city, creating more local wealth than money spent online and shipped from afar. The shift toward online ordering is changing how residents shop and how young people perceive the value of walking through a street lined with familiar storefronts.
“With the disappearance of traditional trade, our culture is also disappearing”
A regional business leader explains that storefronts function like the face of a city. When the window displays lose their impact and shops close, the city loses a piece of its identity. The same advocate supports policies that would fund assistance for local traders, including taxes on large distribution platforms to raise revenue for small businesses.
The leader of the Cartagena Open Mall also argues for a tax on major online retailers to ensure fair competition with physical stores. If such support is not provided, he believes the dilemma will worsen for local retailers.
“You only go out for leisure, but there is less work and deserted streets”
A prominent businessman notes studies suggesting that growth in large e commerce platforms can displace multiple local jobs. The local market, hit by changing consumption habits, is bracing for a tough period ahead as summer ends and the new year begins. While consumer life has more social and leisure components, the actual demand for traditional retail work may not rebound quickly.
In the face of these shifts, the value of personal customer service and specialized knowledge remains a differentiator for local shops. The early year slowdown gives way to a cautious outlook for the next quarter. Observers warn that the trend toward convenience and rapid delivery comes with a trade-off: fewer hands-on shopping experiences and a slower, more fragile local retail ecosystem.
Retailers emphasize that the convenience of home delivery carries a cost. Without strong local support, small stores struggle to compete on service, expertise, and the in-person experience that keeps shoppers returning. The overall message is clear: sustaining local commerce requires strategic action that protects the unique character of city streets while acknowledging the realities of a digital economy.
Source notes indicate that changes in consumer behavior are reshaping the urban fabric, and the health of neighborhood commerce now depends on a balanced approach that supports both digital convenience and the lifeblood of traditional retail. In this view, policy responses, consumer awareness, and community advocacy all play a role in preserving local economies and the human experience of shopping in person.