Black Friday discounts roll out in Andorra but shopper turnout is subdued
Major retailers launched steep promotions—up to 50% at FNAC and ~20% at other chains—but footfall and sales have been weaker than expected.
Key Points
- Large chains ran broad discounts—FNAC up to 50%, Home Gallery and Cottet around 20%
- Footfall and sales described as “quiet” or “flat,” largely driven by local shoppers rather than tourists
- Independent shops offered modest reductions (e.g., Somnis ~30%) but saw no major sales spike
- Some brands (Ecoalf) refused Black Friday promotions, urging responsible consumption
Every year at the end of November, Black Friday—an imported commercial event—shakes up Andorra’s retail calendar and is increasingly treated as the start of the Christmas shopping season.
Large shopping centres and electronics chains rolled out broad promotions this year. Pyrénées said it ran Black Friday offers across all departments, with particularly strong discounts at the FNAC tech store, where reductions of up to 50% were visible. Other big retailers displayed similar markdowns: Home Gallery advertised about 20% off phones, computers and headphones, and Cottet showed 20% off eyewear and accessories.
Despite those offers, footfall and sales have been weaker than expected. Many shops reported a steady trickle of mostly local customers rather than the surge seen in neighbouring regions. Retailers described the campaign so far as “quiet” or “flat,” and several said volumes remain well below typical Spanish and Catalan levels. Staff at multi‑store groups noted that Black Friday drives noticeable sales in Spain but has not “taken off” to the same degree in Andorra.
Small, independent stores also took part but with more modest results. Somnis Andorra reduced prices on some items—around 30% off clothing and shoes—and offered selected pieces for €15. Staff said promotions generated customer interest but did not translate into the same sales spike as larger outlets, in part because neighbourhood shops rely heavily on regular local clientele.
Some independents expressed cautious optimism that weekend visitors tied to partial ski‑area openings could lift traffic. Retailers in Andorra la Vella and Escaldes said they expect the opening of Ordino Arcalís and Pas de la Casa to bring more tourists and potentially improve results over the weekend.
Not all brands joined the discount race. Ecoalf publicly rejected Black Friday promotions, displaying a “0%” sign and urging responsible consumption while highlighting the environmental costs of mass buying.
Overall, merchants expressed restrained expectations: promotions and discounts are in place across many stores, especially for electronics and footwear, but the initial response has been subdued. Retailers are relying on weekend tourism and the run‑up to Christmas to strengthen sales in the coming days.
Original Sources
This article was aggregated from the following Catalan-language sources: