The Chamber of Commerce of Murcia has initiated a consultancy programme with the support of the Ministry of Business, Employment and Social Economy, as part of the ‘Plan to Boost Commerce’ aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of local businesses in the Murcia region. The latest edition has reached 38 shops, contributing to nearly 500 businesses benefiting from this initiative since its inception in 2017.
The consultancy focuses on three main areas: communication, sales space, and the development of transversal skills. It offers around 30 different reports, covering topics from e-commerce to window dressing, as well as current needs in social media, such as “TikTok for your sales”, “Podcast and streaming to strengthen your brand”, and “WhatsApp Business for your shop”, among many others.
The Chamber coordinates individual technical assistance at the business premises, provided by a specialist who collaborates with the merchant to design and implement a tailored action plan. The methodology includes a minimum of three meetings (the first of which must be in person), resulting in approximately 30 hours of consultancy at no cost to the merchant.
Miryam Fuertes, President of the Chamber of Commerce of Murcia, highlighted during a visit to some of the participating businesses that “consumer habits and the profile of the consumer have changed” and emphasised the importance of bringing small businesses closer to current channels, generating local economy, and introducing technological tools already available in the market to adapt to this evolution. She described the plan as “a family doctor”, tailored to meet the specific needs of each business.
Meanwhile, Luis Alberto Marín, Minister of Business, Employment and Social Economy, noted that the ‘Plan to Boost Commerce’ has received “high satisfaction” and that “€2.7 million in aid has been granted to merchants”, indicating that the programme will be repeated. Marín also stated that “traditional commerce is an integral part of our neighbourhoods and employs over 22% of the total jobs generated by self-employed individuals in the Murcia region.”
