Mallorca's service providers brace for a lean winter as businesses plan earlier closures

Local businesses brace for a quieter winter

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I was in Palma's old town last night; the streets looked quieter than usual at this hour. Conversations with a bartender near Plaça Major and with the owner of a small clothing shop on Carrer de Sant Miquel had the same message: the upcoming winter season will be tougher than expected.

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Costs rise, opening hours shrink

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Many businesses cite rising taxes, higher social security contributions, and the latest round of wage talks as the main reasons. A restaurant owner from Port de Pollença told me she is already closing her terrace at the end of October to save on heating and staff costs. Pragmatic — and a bit resigned.

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The result: eateries are closing earlier, small shops reducing staff hours, and some shops planning to close completely on Mondays. In several tourist hubs there is talk of closing times of 6:00 pm for boutiques and 11:00 pm for bars, instead of the usual long evenings.

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Retail hopes for Christmas business

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Retail anticipates a cautious autumn and winter season. Many traders are placing big hopes on the Christmas trade — short and intense, as expected. Whether that will be enough remains uncertain. A shop owner in Inca dryly said: \"Christmas is our lifebuoy, but it has a few holes.\"

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The union PIMEM has repeatedly warned about rising burdens for small and medium-sized enterprises. In particular, owners who earned less in the summer months than in previous years are now dependent on the off-season.

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Labor market and service quality

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Fewer opening hours and reduced shifts can quickly affect service quality: less staff means longer wait times, fewer open branches, and limited offerings. Tourists arriving outside the peak season notice this immediately — and hotel complaint lists fill up.

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On the other hand, some businesses respond creatively: combo offers, local weekend events, and a stronger online presence to fill the gaps. Whether this is enough to cover all areas remains to be seen.

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What does this mean for the island?

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For residents this means less choice of evening programs, for workers possibly less regular working hours. For the municipality, it means taking a closer look: which sectors need support, where is advice enough instead of aid?

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I will continue to travel through the towns in the coming weeks — from La Llotja to Cala Millor — and listen to how people feel. Early signals suggest that winter 2025 on Mallorca could be quieter and leaner than long expected. Not dramatic, but noticeable.

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If you know a business that is changing its opening hours or reducing staff, please write to me — local voices are often the best picture.