The city of Barcelona has launched a new initiative called Bonus Consum, aimed at boosting local commerce by encouraging residents to shop at nearby stores and businesses. This week, the registration period for participating shops has begun, and from 13 October, residents will be able to sign up to use the vouchers at local establishments.
Estimated economic impact
The Bonus Consum initiative is set to have a significant economic impact, estimated at around €12 million. The programme will be rolled out in two phases, with the first phase commencing now and a second phase planned for early 2027, following the Christmas shopping season and sales period. The initiative will be available to approximately 30,000 local service establishments across the city.
A total budget of €4 million has been allocated for the campaign, with 92% of the funds earmarked for direct financial support to participating businesses, while the remainder will cover management costs. The vouchers, which can be purchased for €10, can be redeemed for purchases of €30 or more at local shops.
Eligibility for participating businesses
The Bonus Consum initiative is primarily aimed at everyday food and non-food retailers, as well as service providers. To qualify, businesses must be located in Barcelona, have their headquarters in Catalonia, and meet specific criteria, including an annual turnover of less than €50 million, a retail space of less than 800 square metres, and a workforce of no more than 250 employees. This encompasses over 30,000 establishments throughout the city.
For the first time, vendors at Barcelona's more than 40 municipal markets can also participate in the programme, reinforcing the initiative's connection to local commerce. All participating businesses must be legally registered and meet the operational requirements to use the Bonus Consum application.
Restrictions and limits
Certain sectors are excluded from the programme, including restaurants, entertainment venues, gambling establishments, and businesses selling addictive products such as tobacco and alcohol. Additionally, franchises and businesses that operate 24 hours a day, self-service shops without staff, and shops selling CBD and cannabis-derived products are also ineligible.
To ensure a broad distribution of the economic impact, each business can exchange a maximum of 1,000 vouchers, allowing residents to spend up to €30,000 at each participating establishment.
How residents can participate
Residents wishing to use the Bonus Consum vouchers must be over 18 and reside in Barcelona. A phased participation system will be implemented to prevent any individual from monopolising a large number of vouchers. This system aims to reach over 60,000 residents, with a maximum of three vouchers available per person in each phase.
Upon registering for the Bonus Consum programme, participants will receive an initial voucher that must be used within one month of download. If used within the first 15 days, a second voucher will be issued, with a similar timeline for use. If both vouchers are redeemed in local shops within the same neighbourhood, a third voucher will be granted as an incentive for supporting nearby businesses. The same process will be repeated in the second phase in 2027, allowing participants to use a total of six vouchers throughout the initiative.
