Palma's small boutiques want to close earlier in winter

Why many boutiques want to close earlier in the evenings

When I walk through Palma in the evening — along Jaume III or through the maze of the old town — it becomes noticeable: from 7 p.m. more and more shop windows are already dark. That's exactly why small fashion shops are now joining forces and proposing to close earlier in the coming winter season.

The plan sounds simple: from 20 January to 1 March the shops would like to pull down their shutters already at 7:00 p.m.. The traders argue that the streets are usually empty at that time, customers shop in the morning and afternoon and the evening hours bring little turnover — but personnel and operating costs still apply.

New dates for sales

At the same time, the traders propose new start dates for the discount seasons. The winter sales would therefore begin on 7 January, the summer promotions only on 6 July. The idea behind it: a clearer rhythm, fewer empty stretches in the street and thus some planning security for small shops that often have only a few employees.

I overheard briefly at the market stall next to Plaça Major: the mood is pragmatic. The owner of a boutique on Carrer de Sant Miquel said — well, not quoted verbatim, but along those lines — that sometimes at 7:30 p.m. they still had the lights on and were just cleaning the key, while the café across the street was already putting away the last cups.

No decision from above, everyone decides for themselves

The proposals now go to the local trade association Afedeco. Important: this is not mandatory. In the end, each shop may decide for itself how it regulates its opening hours. For many it's about flexibility: some shops will opt for shorter opening hours and more online offerings, others will stick to the previous times.

Practically, this also means: saving energy, better scheduled shifts for staff — and fewer empty hours in which the owner sits alone in the shop waiting for customers. At the same time, the change causes some raised eyebrows among tourism companies and commuters: tourists who arrive late from the port could find closed doors.

Whether the regulation will come into force will be seen in the coming weeks. Traders are planning informal meetings — a coffee at 9:30 in front of a fabric shop on the plaza — and are collecting opinions. Health, costs and a bit of quality of life for the staff are at the top of the list.

For customers this means: when in doubt, better head out earlier. Or call ahead. Palma remains lively, just with slightly different shop lights in winter.