Barcelona protests take toll on retailers

Posted On: Oct. 23, 2019 7:00 AM CST

Protesters in Barcelona take to the streets on Oct. 16, 2019, following the sentencing of Catalan political leaders behind the region's 2017 independence referendum./ SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Barcelona Oberta trade and tourism association said that sales plunged up to 50% in Barcelona, Spain’s stores and restaurants due to violent protests, El Pais reported. Outlets of German consumer electronics retailer Media Markt, U.K.-based telecommunications firm Vodafone Group PLC, U.S.-based sportswear brand Foot Locker Retail Inc. and Italian sportswear retailer AW LAB were looted, while several bank branches were broken into.