Daniel González, general secretary of the Interinsular Federation of Small and Medium Enterprises (Felapyme) and spokesperson for Arrecife Centro, believes that "digital transformation and close treatment with unique products" are the two great recipes that will guarantee the future of local commerce.
In an interview with Ekonomus, González states that the works in the center of Arrecife are necessary for the transformation of the capital, but they must be well planned so that the closure of several streets simultaneously that occurred during the last day of Black Friday is not repeated.
- What percentage of the year's sales occur during Christmas?
During the Christmas campaign, between 20% and 25% of the sales of the entire year are generated, especially the last 15 days of the year.
- And on Black Friday?
A little less, but yes, it is true that it has become the second option, and a large number of Christmas sales are brought forward to Black Friday.
"The center of Arrecife needs to improve its streets, but also more cleanliness, walking areas, green areas, shade, more police security, more leisure opportunities, attractive places..."
- How are the City Council's works in the center of Arrecife affecting commerce? Are they being planned well?
There was a critical moment, on Black Friday, when several works that closed streets in the center of Arrecife came together simultaneously. Then we asked, through Felapyme, for more information from the City Council and we have held several meetings.
Since that moment, we are aware of the street closures and we inform the businesses through the Federation of when a street is expected to be closed and when it is expected to be opened. This way, businesses can plan their activity and inform their customers of what the access alternatives are or what days are better to arrive.
It is true that the works are annoying, so we have asked for speed in their execution and the best possible planning, so that several key streets do not come together.
- Do you think that the works in the center of Arrecife will favor local commerce?
I think the intention is positive, because Arrecife is a city that has been asking for years, not only the commerce, but a lot of groups, for a transformation.
Not only of the streets, we also talk about cleanliness, walking areas, green areas, shade, more police security, more leisure opportunities, attractive places...
Therefore, works must be executed, with good planning, and there must be parking alternatives. In that sense, we carry out campaigns with the commerce so that customers who come to Arrecife and consume in the businesses attached to the Federation, can park for free while they shop.
"The Open Mall has not meant any collapse for local commerce. There have been closures but also openings"
- How has the Open Mall affected local commerce?
In principle, if we talk about closures and openings, we cannot talk about any kind of collapse in the last year since the opening of the Open Mall. The number of businesses has been maintained. We have seen closures, but also openings.
- And electronic commerce?
The effort that local commerce has to make to have a profit margin is increasingly greater because it faces digital marketing and electronic commerce.
- Is local commerce getting on the digital train?
Yes, from Felapyme we have promoted with the commerce area of the Cabildo a digital tool called Arrecife Virtual. It is a web page where we find about 150 businesses, where they can sell their products online, upload all their product catalogs, make exclusive offers and promotions and contact the customer directly, it has worked quite well.
It started in March, and there are already many customers who buy there. We have a virtual magazine and a monthly catalog with the offers.
"Local commerce can offer you garments that only you will have"
- Will local commerce disappear?
We try to have a digital transformation of commerce, but we do not forget that the nearby commerce, the local commerce, will not disappear for the simple fact that it is a more specialized commerce, with an exclusive, personal and familiar treatment.
Local commerce offers a unique and exclusive product with which the products sold in large stores cannot compete.
We have examples of businesses in Arrecife and there are more and more, that have specialized in certain products and that work quite well because they have no competition in any other place.
- Does local commerce not fear then that new shopping centers will open on the island?
I think that continuing on the path we are going, on the one hand offering digital transformation and digital marketing tools, and on the other hand trying to offer a personalized treatment and an exclusive and unique quality product, businesses do not have to be afraid.
Local commerce can offer you garments that only you will have because they bring them with a unique size and with limited units. People who want to be different come to that commerce.
We have businesses specialized in textiles, in wines, cheeses, sweets, artisan products... where you can buy an exclusive gift, something that you will not find in a supermarket. That is what makes the difference.